A Gyr Falcon (Falco rusticollis) by Rowland Ward of Piccadilly, London, circa 1925

This lot contains endangered species. Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict or prohibit the import of certain items to protect wildlife conservation. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of this lot to the US. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Formerly in the collection of Captain Vivian Hewitt (1888-1965), aviator, ornithologist and conservationist.

Arab traders likely introduced falconry to the west before the fall of the roman empire.  In Europe,  the sport became known as “Hawking”.  The aristocracy established a pecking order noted in “ Book of Saint Albans inn 1486, noting.  Only the kind was entitled to a gyrfalcon, the world’s most exotic raptor, brought by traders from frozen Nordic cliffs.