Speaking of turkeys, Sabine Eiche's delightful book, "Presenting the Turkey: The Fabulous Story of a Flambouant and Flavourful Bird" is a must-have for anyone with an interest in turkeys. She is an art historian, http://members.shaw.ca/seiche/, so she follows their progress around the globe through the artwork they inspired.
Turkeys are the only domesticated fowl indigenous to North America, a huge contribution to the human table. They were originally domesticated in Mexico, but wild birds were common when Europeans arrived. Columbus took some back to Europe on his first return trip.
They were greeted there with wonder, as a kind of peacock. They adapted well to living conditions, often being kept as exotic birds in the private zoos of wealthy noblemen. Soon they were being kept in flocks and prepared for the table for festive occasions.
Ms. Eiche's book reproduces artworks that would be impossible to find elsewhere, along with the history that places them in context. It's an exceptional book, filled with wonders that are unavailable anywhere else.
I'm honored to offer her book through this site, and it is also available through Antique Collectors Club, http://www.antique-acc.com/, which offers an extensive list of books relating to antiques and decorative arts.
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