Olivia Fanny Tonge Collection

A Mussoorie Specimen of the common Toad of all India
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge 1858-1949. 180 x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

A Toad
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge 1858-1949. A small specimen of a huge Toad that comes out to feed after a shower of rain

Flower crab, artwork C016 / 5536
Flower crab (Portunus pelagicus). Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge, circa 1910

Toy turtles and spiders, 20th century C013 / 6516
Toy turtles and spiders. Early 20th-century artwork showing clay toy turtles and spiders in India. Watercolour by the British artist Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949)

Indian grey musk-shrew, 20th century C013 / 6515
Indian grey musk-shrew (Suncus murinus caerulescens). Watercolour by the British artist Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949). This artwork is from a collection of watercolours drawn by Tonge in the period

Toad in India, 20th century C013 / 6514
Toad in India. Early 20th-century artwork of a toad that has come out to feed after rain. Watercolour by the British artist Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949)

A Dodder-like climber and a harmless snake
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge 1858-1949. 180 x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

Some of the sweets beloved of the native
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge 1858-1949. 180 x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

Balanus tintinnabulum, bell barnacle
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949). Sized 180 x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

Watercolour of a bird by Olivia Fanny Tonge
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge. 180mm x 260mm. From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952

Clay Toy Turtles and spiders
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949). Captioned: Clay Toy Turtles with Heads and Legs that waggle costing one anna. Cawnpore

Scarus ghobban, blue-barred parrotfish
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge, c. 1910

Indian gold tore and nose ring c. 1912
Annotated watercolour drawing by Oliva Fanny Tonge (1858-1949), from one of 16 sketchbooks presented to the Natural History Museum in 1952

Sterculia and Eriobotrya japonica, Chinese almond and loqua
Watercolour by Olivia Fanny Tonge (1858-1949). From one of sixteen sketchbooks presented to the Museum in 1952. Held in the Zoology Library at the Natural History Museum, London

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Olivia Fanny Tonge: A Fascinating Journey through Nature and Art Step into the world of Olivia Fanny Tonge, a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the realms of nature and art. Known as "A Mussoorie Specimen of the common Toad of all India, " she was captivated by the beauty and diversity found in her surroundings. Tonge's keen eye for detail led her to explore various creatures, including the humble toad. With delicate strokes, she immortalized this creature in her artwork titled "A Toad. " But it didn't stop there; Tonge's artistic prowess extended beyond amphibians. She skillfully captured other intriguing specimens such as flower crabs, toy turtles, spiders, and even an Indian grey musk-shrew. Intriguingly, Tonge also ventured into documenting wildlife in India during the 20th century. Her work showcased a toad amidst its natural habitat and shed light on lesser-known species like dodder-like climbers and harmless snakes. Through her paintings, she transported viewers into a world teeming with life. Aside from her passion for fauna, Tonge had a sweet tooth that endeared her to native delicacies. Some of these sweets held a special place in her heart – their flavors reminiscent of cherished memories amid vibrant landscapes. But it wasn't just living organisms that fascinated Tonge; she delved into marine life too. Balanus tintinnabulum or bell barnacles caught her attention with their intricate structures that adorned rocks along coastlines. Yet amidst all these wonders lay another facet of Olivia Fanny Tonge's talent – watercolor bird paintings that mesmerized audiences with their lifelike portrayal. Each brushstroke brought avian beauty to life on paper under Tonge's skilled hand. And finally, let us not forget Elephas maximus – Asian elephants - majestic giants depicted by this multi-talented artist.