拍品專文
The Durham Ox was bred by Charles and Robert Colling near Darlington in 1796, at a time when the popularity to compete in agricultural shows to breed large animals was at its peak. The Durham Ox achieved notoriety due to its extreme size. It was five foot tall and weighed over two hundred stone. It was bought by a gentleman, John Day, and exhibited throughout the country in a specially designed carriage. Paintings of livestock were commissioned by proud breeders to impress others and the famous ox was no exception. A print of the giant beast, produced in 1802 by John Boultbee, sold two thousand within a year and was hung in homes, inns and coaching houses celebrating the beast.