Anthropomorphism Collection

Alice and the Cheshire Cat, 1889. Artist: John Tenniel
Alice and the Cheshire Cat, 1889. Lewis Carrolls (1832-1898) Alice in Wonderland as illustrated by John Tenniel (1820-1914). From Alices Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. [Macmillan & Co

Six owl bellringers on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

An Alligator - all dressed up to meet you in Florida, USA. Date: 1935

A Select Committee, 1891, (c1930). Creator: Henry Stacy Marks
A Select Committee, 1891, (c1930). Anthropomorphic depiction of exotic birds including macaws, parrots, and sulphur-crested cockatoos. Painting in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

Advertising card for Thoms Castile Soap of Manchester
Advertising card by Louis Wain for the Gold Medal-winning Thoms Castile Soap - the Best in the World - manufactured by David Thom & Co. Ltd. of Pendleton, Manchester

Cats enjoying a party on a Christmas card
A family of cats enjoying a party on a Christmas card, by Louis Wain. Date: circa 1900s

Birthday Greetings postcard - A family of Cats at home, sitting and playing around the fire. Date: circa 1922

Owl and foxes carrying food on a Christmas card
An owl and three foxes carrying a roast bird, cutlery and holly through the snow on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Victorian Greeting Card - Owls with Lantern
Two owls standing with a lantern. Date: circa 1890

Four frogs ice skating on a Christmas card
Four frogs ice skating hand in hand on a Christmas card, with comic verse below. circa 1890s

Poster advertising Pettijohns breakfast food, showing Red Riding Hood -- or is it Goldilocks? -- and a family of bears sharing an outdoor breakfast together in the woods

Puss in Boots -- walking along a country lane. 19th century

Three Little Kittens
The Three Little Kittens are washing their mittens. 19th century

Humanised turkey in the role of a banker
A humanised turkey dressed in a suit, cast in the role of a fat banker, surrounded by bags of money

Alice and the Dodo -- the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble saying, " We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble"

Humanised elephant in the role of a bon viveur
A humanised elephant, wearing waistcoat, trousers and tailcoat, cast in the role of a bon viveur, with corks popping out of wine bottles behind him

Victorian Greeting Card - The Pickpocket
Two penguins out for a stroll whilst a sparrow picks a pocket. Date: circa 1890

Family of pigs at play on a postcard. Date: circa 1890s

Frog in human clothing on a French postcard. Date: circa 1890s

Cats enjoying a dinner party on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Two Deer enjoy Breakfast in Bed (charged extra)
" Pass the toast, dear..!" - Mr and Mrs Roebuck enjoying an early morning cuppa in bed at the Old Stags Head Inn. I wonder if she has ant-eloped with him...! Date: 1914

Four cats drinking tea on a Christmas card
Four cats drinking tea and chatting on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Christmas Morning by Margaret Tempest. circa 1910s

Victorian Greeting Card - Rabbits with Plum Pudding
Two rabbits gazing at a plum pudding. Date: circa 1890

Family of pigs in the snow on a Christmas postcard. circa 1890s

Two frogs with insect on a greetings card
Two frogs with an insect on a greetings card -- Happy be thy dreams. Date: circa 1890s

Two cats playing billiards on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Cat playing the piano on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen (colour litho)
7157455 The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen (colour litho) by Wain, Louis (1860-1939) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen)

Victorian Greeting Card - Owls in Town
Two owls in top hats out at night. Date: circa 1890

Victorian Greeting Card - Snowy Rabbits
Two rabbits walking through the snow under an umbrella. Date: circa 1890

A Days Golfing, by a Canine Enthusiast (engraving)
1062379 A Days Golfing, by a Canine Enthusiast (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Days Golfing, by a Canine Enthusiast)

Dancing Cat Playing a Violin, 1937 (colour litho)
2630060 Dancing Cat Playing a Violin, 1937 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

Animals and birds singing round a piano on a Christmas card. Date: circa 1890s

Hungry Peter the pigs dinner party, with Tabitha the cat, Humpty and Dumpty the rabbits, two ducks (the Quacks), and two dogs (Rags and Forager) gathered round a long table. Date: 1914

Silhouette, As Mad As A Hatter (or March Hare)
As Mad As A Hatter (or March Hare) -- silhouette based on illustrations to Alice in Wonderland, showing the Mad Hatter and March Hare sitting at the tea table

Resemblance of animals and their owners
Animals who resemble their owners - or vice versa -- a sheep and a cat

Cats dancing (litho)
7201117 Cats dancing (litho) by Wain, Louis (1860-1939) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas Revellers, cats dancing)

What do you think of the expedition? from Metamorphoses of the Day, 1829

Frog going fishing, advertisement for J D Larkins Elite toilet soap, 1882 (chromolitho)
5235886 Frog going fishing, advertisement for J D Larkins Elite toilet soap, 1882 (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Frog going fishing)

Advertisement for J D Larkin & Co soap, Buffalo, New York (colour litho)
3104941 Advertisement for J D Larkin & Co soap, Buffalo, New York (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement for J D Larkin & Co soap, Buffalo)

Victorian Greeting Card - Dining Guinea-Pigs
Mother guinea-pig about to feed 4 young guinea-pigs at the dining table. Date: circa 1890

Musical cats with flowers on a postcard. Date: circa 1890s

Frogs riding snails and smoking pipes (chromolitho)
6032444 Frogs riding snails and smoking pipes (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Cartoon of monkeys playing billiards, Christmas greetings card. (chromolitho)
6031508 Cartoon of monkeys playing billiards, Christmas greetings card. (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cartoon of monkeys playing billiards)

Four Seasons in One Head, c. 1590. Creator: Giuseppe Arcimboldi
Four Seasons in One Head, c. 1590

The Monkey King Songoku, from the Chinese novel Journey to the West, probably 1824

WW2 Christmas card, A False Alarm -- a dog in AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) uniform. Date: 1941

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Anthropomorphism, the art of attributing human characteristics to non-human entities, has been a fascinating subject throughout history. Dating back to 1891, when A Select Committee first delved into this concept, it has captivated our imaginations and sparked creativity in various forms. Take for instance Henry Stacy Marks' creation - a whimsical Christmas card showcasing cats enjoying a lively party. The feline creatures seem almost human as they revel in the holiday spirit. Similarly, an alligator dressed up to meet you in Florida adds another layer of anthropomorphic charm. Even advertising cards have embraced this enchanting phenomenon. Thoms Castile Soap of Manchester cleverly depicts animals engaging in everyday activities like carrying food or ice skating on Christmas cards. These seemingly ordinary moments become extraordinary when we witness frogs gliding gracefully or owls diligently ringing bells. The magic continues with a Birthday Greetings postcard featuring a family of cats at home, celebrating just like humans do. And who can resist the adorable sight of six owl bellringers spreading joy during the festive season? But anthropomorphism doesn't stop there; it extends its reach even into poster advertisements. Pettijohns breakfast food is promoted through an image that showcases animals gathering around a table as if sharing a meal together - reminding us that these creatures possess relatable qualities too. In literature and art alike, anthropomorphism takes center stage. "Three Little Kittens" tells us tales where kittens behave much like mischievous children while Alice encounters the Dodo bird who exhibits human-like traits despite being part of the animal kingdom. Lastly, imagine encountering a turkey playing the role of a banker. This humorous portrayal exemplifies how they are inject humor and playfulness into unexpected scenarios. From Victorian times to modern-day interpretations, anthropomorphism remains an enduring fascination for artists and storytellers alike. It allows us to connect with nature's creatures on deeper levels by attributing human qualities to them.