John Whessell Ca.1760-1840. The Durham Ox. Stipple engraving after J Boultbee. Printed in colour with hand finishing, laid onto canvas on wooden stretcher, some time staining surface wear and small damages to figure and sky, the frame original. Lovely "Country House" condition. Published by John Day March 20th 1802. 58.5 by 49.1 cms image. 64.8 by 55.6 cms framed overall.
To The Right Honorable Lord Somerville, This Print is with great respect humbly dedicated, by his Lordship's most obedt. humble Servant John Day. This wonderful Animal is now the property of Mr. John Day of Harmston, near Lincoln, and was March 20 1802, six years old. Subscriptions taken for this Print in the first Year, amounted to two thousand and upwards, from whence the Public opinion of this beautiful Animal may well be ascertained. This Ox is still in a grewing and improving state, and weighs according to the computation of the best judges 30 Score pr. Quarter, which is 300 Stone 14 lb to the Stone.
The Durham Ox. March 1796 – 15 April 1807 was a steer who became famous in the early 19th century for his shape, size and weight. He was an early example of what became the Shorthorn breed of cattle and helped establish the standards by which the breed was to be defined.
The animal was born in March 1796 and was bred by Charles Colling of Ketton Hall, Brafferton in County Durham. Colling was a pioneer of the cattle-breeding movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1801 the ox was sold to John Day of Harmston, near Lincoln, for £250 (@ £27,000 in today's values), who named him the Durham Ox and had a carriage specially made to transport him, drawn by four horses. For the next five years the ox toured with him around England and Scotland, being exhibited to the public at agricultural fairs and other events. The ox proved extremely popular. For most of 1802 the Durham Ox was on show in London, where it is recorded that in one single day admission fees to see him totalled £97. On show in Oxford during February 1807, the ox damaged his hip as he was getting out of his carriage. The injury failed to heal and on 15 April 1807 he was slaughtered. His weight after death was reported to be 189 stone (1,200 kg).
Back to the Archive
Back
GB