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The musk deer, 1862. Creator: Pearson
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The musk deer, 1862. Creator: Pearson
The musk deer, 1862. The true musk perfume has been brought to Europe for many years, but the animal which yields it has never yet been seen alive in this hemisphere...Musk is contained in an excretory gland about the navel of the male animal. By the Chinese and other dealers this gland is termed a "pod, " and as imported it is called "pod musk, " but when the musk is separated from the skin or sac in which it is contained it is termed "grain musk, " the commercial value of which is very nearly that of gold, weight for weight. The musk deer (Moschus moschatus) is an inhabitant of the great mountain range, the Himalayas...The general outline, head, logs, and feet, are those of the common deer: it has, however, one peculiarity: the tusks project one inch and three quarters from the upper jaw...The coat is neither hair nor bristles, but is like very fine porcupine quills...Hitherto the musk brought to our market has come from Chinese ports...Now, however, we are gradually penetrating China in the north, making Umballa, one of our sanitary hill stations of India, a starting-point. Messrs. Peake and Allen, resident merchants there, are sending home musk of far greater purity than any sent to us by the Chinese'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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Media ID 35127003
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Deer Import Imported Pearson Perfume Rare Tusk Tusks Valuable Importation Musk Musk Deer
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken by Pearson in 1862, showcases the elusive and enigmatic Musk Deer (Moschus moschatus). The Musk Deer, a native inhabitant of the Himalayan mountain range, has long been renowned for its unique feature - the production of musk, a precious and highly sought-after substance used in perfumes and aromatics. Despite the widespread use of musk in Europe for many years, the Musk Deer itself remained an enigma, never before seen alive in this hemisphere. The true musk is secreted in an excretory gland located near the navel of the male animal, which is often referred to as a 'pod.' When separated from the skin or sac, it is known as 'grain musk.' The commercial value of musk is immense, almost equal to gold, weight for weight. The Musk Deer's appearance is reminiscent of a common deer, with some distinct differences. It possesses tusks that project one inch and three quarters from its upper jaw, and its coat is neither hair nor bristles but rather fine quill-like structures. Historically, musk imported to Europe came from Chinese ports. However, with the gradual penetration of the northern regions of India, including Umballa, a British hill station, European merchants like Peake and Allen were able to source musk of far greater purity than ever before. This photograph, taken during this period, provides a rare glimpse into the mysterious world of the Musk Deer and the valuable resource it offers.
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