LIFE-SIZE IVORY EAGLE
Original research and photography © George W. Randall.
See dedicated blog post on Ivory Eagle:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3149945780622106744/6873241512882600280
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to the Nation in 1957 is included at the end of this Post.
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In 1957, shortly after acquisition, Nature Conservancy requested a
staff member from the National Museum of Scotland to come across to
Kinloch Castle to evaluate the contents.
Their conclusion recommended the removal of a number
of the more valuable / vulnerable pieces, amongst which the
Ivory Eagle is one of only two subsequently ever put on public display,
the other being a 56 inch high Japanese crafted bronze of a jungle cock
standing on a tree stump covered with prunus blossoms and buds.
The body, plumage and beak of the eagle are executed entirely in ivory,
the head and a large part of the neck carved from a solid piece.
Outstretched the neck is thrust forward and gazes to the left.
The plumage is carved with each feather clearly defined,
the head and a large part of the neck carved from a solid piece.
Outstretched the neck is thrust forward and gazes to the left.
The plumage is carved with each feather clearly defined,
some of the smaller feathers
being in groups of two or three, but the larger feathers are worked individually each being fixed to the hollow body. The left wing is stretched wide,
being in groups of two or three, but the larger feathers are worked individually each being fixed to the hollow body. The left wing is stretched wide,
the right being partially folded and raised; the fourteen tail feathers are spread open. The claws comprise dark wood and the black eyes glass.
Two toes of each foot, the right being longer than the left, are made rom a
single piece of ivory with the two lateral toes jointed on.
single piece of ivory with the two lateral toes jointed on.
The eight talons are detachable each fitting into a numbered socket.
In the base of each foot projecting
metal rods secured the eagle to its three foot high hardwood tree trunk
metal rods secured the eagle to its three foot high hardwood tree trunk
base giving an eye ball to eye ball experience.
Originally the eagle stood in the Great Hall at Kinloch Castle.
(Haliaeetus pelagicus) that lives in coastal areas of Korea, Japan,
and Russia’s Far East, is life size being, 52 inches from tip of beak to tip of tail, height 30 inches, and width of its partially outstretched wings 53 inches.
in 1958 the base was left behind.
I was informed by a long time Rum resident and former
employee of the Bulloughs' that the base was carved from the trunk of
bog oak unearthed during construction of the castle.
bog oak unearthed during construction of the castle.
In 2011 I questioned the leaving of the base at the Castle with the National Museum’s Senior Curator (Japan), thereby dividing an historically valuable artifact, her reply stated:
“The Museum decided not to acquire the base in 1958
as it was not original to the piece.
as it was not original to the piece.
In such a case I would not consider it to be “dividing an artifact” …
as the base could not be considered an integral part of the work, …
also (there was) a very significant problem of woodworm.”
as the base could not be considered an integral part of the work, …
also (there was) a very significant problem of woodworm.”
But the base was an integral part of the work as owned by Sir George Bullough and later displayed in his
Highland home.
Prior to the National Museum's refurbishment, the eagle was displayed on a six foot high plinth in the Ivy Wu Gallery for Chinese, Japanese and Korean Art.
Correctly displayed on its base it would be eye ball to eye ball with the viewer.
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| Photographed in 2012 by George W. Randall. Woodworm infestation is now rampant. It was never treated.  |
The attached Royal Museum description reads:
“Eagle of carved ivory, originally one of a pair, rumoured to have been given to the Japanese Emperor by an Indian Prince.
It was, however, made in Japan and given*
to the Museum in 1958 from the collections at Kinloch Castle
on the island of Rum. 19th century.”
(* REALITY OF ACQUISITION BY THE ROYAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND:
Shortly after acquisition in 1957 Nature Conservancy requested a
staff member from the National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh,
to come across to Kinloch Castle to evaluate the contents.
They recommended removal of a number
of the more valuable / vulnerable pieces, amongst which the
Ivory Eagle is one of only two subsequently ever put on public display, the other being a 56 inch high Japanese crafted bronze
of a jungle cock standing on a tree stump covered with
prunus blossoms and buds.)
(* REALITY OF ORIGIN BY GEORGE BULLOUGH:
The Ivory Eagle was in fact exhibited at the
Fourth National Industrial Exhibition
held at Okazaki Park, Kyoto, Japan, from the 1st April to 31st July, 1895, at the end of which items were sold by auction.
held at Okazaki Park, Kyoto, Japan, from the 1st April to 31st July, 1895, at the end of which items were sold by auction.
George Bullough was in Kyoto at the time
as part of his three-year long Grand World Tour, 1892-1895;
how he outbid the Emperor’s representative to acquired
“the gem of the exhibition”
was later recalled in a published interview in his local newspaper,
the Accrington Division Gazette, on 2 May, 1896.
INTRODUCTORY ARTICLE - LINK ADDRESS:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3149945780622106744/4016242419873616344
The Kyoto industrial exhibition of 1895 was held in celebration
of the eleven hundredth anniversary of the city's existence.
The Ivory Eagle, "The Gem of the Exhibition", was later bought
by George Bullough and today languishes, apparently unrecognised,
in the Royal Museum, Edinburgh, Scotland.
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** * * **
SOME BACKGROUND TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE ISLAND OF RUM
ON 28 FEBRUARY 1957
(what would have been Sir George Bullough’s 87th birthday.)
The purchase of the 26,400 acre Isle of Rum by the
Conservative Government in 1957 for £23,000 included Kinloch Castle.
The Minute of Sale Agreement states:
“The Nature Conservancy agreed that it would unless prevented
from doing so by circumstances over which it had no control use
the said Island for the purpose of a nature reserve in perpetuity
and maintain Kinloch Castle ... so far as may be practical
to do so in the circumstances and that ...
to do so in the circumstances and that ...
Dame Monica Lilly Bullough made a gift ... to the said
Nature Conservancy as a Memorial to her late husband
the said Sir George Bullough, Baronet,
of the whole furniture, carpets, curtains and pictures ... …”
The signed Minute continued: “The said Nature Conservancy
confirm their acceptance of the said Gift to them which shall
be known as “The Sir George Bullough Memorial.”
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| Lack of timely maintenance has resulted in much internal damage as in this bedroom in the Manager's Quarters. |
The castle is built of red sandstone from the island of Arran,
a strata layer technically described as having
“limited resistance to salt damage” and consequently unsuitable
for structures close by the sea. But it is by the sea, on a raised beach
only yards above and from the island’s only sea loch, Loch Scresort.
Take into account the natural porosity of sandstone, the deteriorating
exterior pointing of the building, aged roof slates,
gutters lined with degrading lead, a very high rainfall, the proximity of trees, (their leaves blocking rhones and fall pipes due to inadequate maintenance), poor roof design including a deep valley gutter dividing the south wing, it was inevitable water would ingress the structure and eventually the very building. In recent years major funding has been obtained and many hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on making the roof watertight for which S.N.H. are to be commended.
However there remains much still to do!
Courtyard wall of Ballroom and Butler's Pantry (left)
exhibit degree of damp exacerbated by blocked and overflowing gutters and down pipes.
It was against this wall in the ballroom the Cavalry Battle Scene
was photographed in 2012.
Today the island is under the care of NatureScot, (successors to Nature Conservancy and Scottish Natural Heritage), an agency funded by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh through a Grant-in-Aid (GiA) scheme,
with a £47.41 million budget in 2023-23.
(In 2014/15 the Grant-in-Aid was £53 million.)
Regrettably NatureScot and its predecessor have never been specifically funded for the care / maintenance of Kinloch Castle built 1897-1900
as a late Victorian hunting lodge for twenty-seven year old George Bullough, later Sir George, Bt., and included in the purchase of the island for the Nation still fully furnished in all its pre-1914 elegance.
However, it must be borne in mind, despite all these apparent shortcomings and failures, had circumstances been different the castle’s contents could well have been removed and dispersed years ago, the building demolished and the unique Edwardian treasure house we see today lost forever.
But Kinloch Castle complete with contents is still there, all is not lost … yet!
It requires the iron will of public awareness and the inevitable funds
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| The view from the Tower highlights the poor roof design. |
Although visitors can no longer stay in the Castle,
the forty bed hostel closed and the kitchen facilities removed
by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2012 no doubt to make re-starting catering
much more expensive ... ... ... indeed, prohibitive?
The Rum Community Trust, (made-up of resident islanders),
have built new visitor accommodation.
Bed and breakfast is available in some homes.
A campsite by the foreshore offers not only a magnificent view but essential amenities;
the island also has a well provisioned licensed store with post office.
the island also has a well provisioned licensed store with post office.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Isle of Rum Community Trust
Farmhouse Bothy, Isle of Rum, Inverness-shire PH43 4RR, United Kingdom
Telephone outside U.K. +44 1687 462 404
in U.K. 01687 462 404
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The legal DISPOSITION
of transfer of the island to the Nation in 1957.
(George W. Randall Research Archive.)
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN
REVIEWED BY THE AUTHOR 8 JUNE 2025.
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