A cabinet for the storage of butterfly specimens, with three doors veneered in burr walnut with applied rococo carving, enclosing three tiers of shallow drawers, beneath a slate slab painted in imitation of marble. English, 1880-1890.

A specimen cabinet for the storage of butterflies, veneered in walnut on pine, with applied mouldings and carved consoles in solid walnut and a slab of slate painted in imitation of Siena marble. The cabinet is serpentine in plan, with 3 cupboard doors covering shallow drawers wuth plain, turned wooden knobs. Each drawer is close-covered with a panel of glass, and is lined with paper. To the right of each knob, is a metal-frame to carry a small titling card. Two drawers are missing from the left-hand cabinet and the right-hand door is detached.

Transferred from the Natural History Museum. Originally from the Rothschild Collection at Tring, Hertfordshire

This cabinet was transferred from the Natural History Museum, presumably because it had been decided to store the butterfly specimens that were its original contents in a different form. It came to the Natural History Museum from the Rothschild collection at Tring, Hertfordshire, now an out-station of the Natural History Museum.

The collection at Tring had been formed by Walter Rothschild (1868-1937), later 2nd Baron Rothschild, a member of the influential banking family. His parents had moved to Tring Park in 1872 and his interest in natural history was formed in early childhood. By the age of 7 he had declared his intention to 'make a museum' and although his parents did not share his interests, they encouraged them. For his 21st birthday in 1889 his father built him a museum on the edge of the park and in 1892 it opened to the public. Walter continued his interest and after his death in 1937 it passed to the Natural History Museum. The butterfly specimens were transferred to London.

Although the cabinet was probably always made for the museum, its design reflects the popular Rococo Revival style that was current from the 1840s for several decades. The Rothschild family, whose many branches had extensive connections in continental Europe, was particularly fond of the style.

This cabinet, in rococo revival style, with curving outline and serpentine carvings, would not have looked out of place in any Victorian drawing room but its purpose was in fact more specific. The ranks of shallow drawers behind the three doors were designed to hold a collection of butterflies assembled by Walter Rothschild (1868 - 1937) at Tring Park, Hertfordshire. Walter was a member of the influential banking family of Rothschilds but from an early age he decided to devote his time to natural history. By the age of seven he had declared that he wishes to 'make a museum' and he devoted his life to the study of this subject. When he was twenty-one, his father built him a small museum in the grounds of the house. This cabinet may have been made for that building, or for use in the house. When Walter died the collection was offered to the Natural History Museum, which brought the butterfly collection to London and re-housed it in more scientifically designed cabinets. The other collections at Tring remain as an out-station of the Natural History Museum, which can still be visited there.

CIRC.759:5-1969