Mummified Falcon
1973.4.151
Information
The mummified remains of a bird, probably a small falcon. It is wrapped in plain bandaging, which is now discoloured. The bird is laid out with it's head bent forward. There is a historic photograph of an X-Ray accompanying the object. The mummy was X-rayed in 1995 for the exhibition, "Caught in Time" (1996-2005) at National Museums Liverpool’s Conservation Centre, the first permanent UK exhibition dedicated to explaining the work of museum conservators.
Wellcome Historical Medical Museum accession no. 15390: [catalogue slip missing]. Purchased by Mr Stow for Sir Henry Wellcome at Sotheby’s 26 June – 3 July 1922, London (Rev. William MacGregor Collection) Lot 640: "Five mummied Animals, comprising a Hawk, a young Jackal, and three snakes in bandages; also three bones from mummified animals, a bronze Probe, and three bronze Needles".
CONDITION NOTE (1998): Some bindings are fragmenting, some damage to face, white mottled substance.