Bones from the most famous of all extinct birds come for sale as part of our Out of the Ordinary sale on February 15 & 16.
20 January 2022
The femur and phalanx bone from the dodo, the flightless species that died out in Mauritius around 330 years ago, are expected to make £3,000-4,000.
The dodo, a member of the pigeon family had thrived on Mauritius until the Dutch colonised the island in 1638. Hunted for sport and further threatened by the arrival of alien species such as rats, dogs, cats, and pigs, it was thought to have become extinct before 1690. It is one of the first occasions that man realised that human actions alone could cause a species to die out.
THE DODO,
before 1690, Mauritius, a set of Dodo femur and phalanx bones,
leg bone 7.5cm long
toe bone 4cm long
£3,000-4,000
The dodo bones on offer - a 7.5cm leg bone and a 4cm toe bone - are from a group of dodo bones discovered in 1885 during the investigation of the Mare aux Songes swamp in Mauritius by local schoolmaster George Clarke. Hearing that a few old dodo bones had been found in this area, Clarke hired local servants to wade through the mud and feel for further bones with their feet.
Discover four curiosities from an East Anglian Private Collection in our Open House timed auction, taking place 4–10 November.
4 November 2025
Sworders is pleased to present two classic Volvos in our forthcoming Cars & Automobilia sale - cars that neatly showcase the marque’s practical elegance and loyal following.
31 October 2025
In our upcoming Fine Interiors auction on 9–10 December 2025, two lots offer more than fine craftsmanship and design — they carry the weight of imperial history. One piece was acquired from Provender House, the Kent home of Princess Olga Andreevna Romanoff, and the other holds a curious clue to its past, bearing a connection to the Russian Imperial family.
23 October 2025