Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Contents of an Ostrich's Stomach

Photograph
c. 1930 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Bond, F. W. (photographer)

While Bond was working as a photographer at the Zoological Society of London, he recorded a collection of objects retrieved from an ostrich’s stomach after its death. Ostriches eat small, hard objects to help digestion, but unfortunately this ostrich consumed a four-inch nail that caused ‘death by perforation’. Several other items found, like gloves and coins, were probably lost by zoo visitors and reflect the bird’s exposure to people and city life.

Delve deeper

Discover more about this object
watch Unboxing weird and wonderful nature photography Featuring a cast of stuffed animals, intelligent and not so intelligent birds, incredible high-speed images of insects, a one-eyed owl photographer, and the ingenious exploits of the Kearton brothers, who would do anything to get that perfect shot.

Object details

Categories
Photographs
The Royal Photographic Society
Object type
Photograph
TitleContents of an Ostrich's Stomach (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bromide print
Photographic Paper
Bromide Process
Photography
Brief description
Photograph by Frederick William Bond, Contents of an Ostrich's Stomach, bromide print, c. 1930.
Physical description
Photograph showing the contents of an ostrich's stomach, including gloves, rope, and the four-inch nail that led to the animal's death
Dimensions
  • Image height: 395mm
  • Image width: 499mm
Gallery label
Photography Centre 2018-20:

Frederick William Bond (1887–1942)
Contents of an Ostrich's Stomach
About 1930

While Bond was working as a photographer at the Zoological Society of London, he recorded a collection of objects retrieved from an ostrich’s stomach after its death. Ostriches eat small, hard objects to help digestion, but unfortunately this ostrich consumed a four-inch nail that caused ‘death by perforation’. Several other items found, like gloves and coins, were probably lost by zoo visitors and reflect the bird’s exposure to people and city life.

Bromide print
Museum no. RPS.2389-2017

The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Art Fund
Credit line
The Royal Photographic Society Collection at the V&A, acquired with the generous assistance of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund.
Summary
While Bond was working as a photographer at the Zoological Society of London, he recorded a collection of objects retrieved from an ostrich’s stomach after its death. Ostriches eat small, hard objects to help digestion, but unfortunately this ostrich consumed a four-inch nail that caused ‘death by perforation’. Several other items found, like gloves and coins, were probably lost by zoo visitors and reflect the bird’s exposure to people and city life.
Associated object
PROV.2515-2017 (RPS Group record)
Other numbers
  • XRP1507 - RPS collection - V&A identifier
  • 2003-5001/2/20566 - Science Museum Group accession number
Collection
Department of Photography
Accession number
RPS.2389-2017

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdAugust 23, 2017
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1410687/contents-of-an-ostrichs-stomach-photograph-bond-f-w/
Download as: JSON