Lot Essay
This picture of a black and white Chinese cock pheasant with its hen, was Number VII in Samuel Dixon's 1750 set of 'Foreign Birds'. It is taken from George Edwards' Natural History of Uncommon Birds, 1743-51, vol. II, pl. 66. The initials 'G H' on the back of the picture itself are those of Dixon's teenage apprentice, Gustavus Hamilton (circa 1739-1775). Hamilton, along with James Reilly and Daniel O'Keeffe, was employed in colouring the basso-relievo prints of birds and flowers produced by Dixon (W. Strickland, A Dictionary of Irish Artists, Dublin and London, 1913, p. 426, pl.XXIX). What is particularly interesting about the present lot is the addition of the actual date that the picture was coloured, which is quite unusual for pictures by Dixon.
Isaac Spackman produced the same subject of a Chinese cock and hen pheasant, and an example of his was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 15 November 1990, lot 12. The same subject was sold as part of a larger set of twelve, eleven of which were by Samuel Dixon, in these Rooms, 19 November 1992, lot 6.
We are grateful to Robert Beardsley Esq. for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.
Isaac Spackman produced the same subject of a Chinese cock and hen pheasant, and an example of his was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 15 November 1990, lot 12. The same subject was sold as part of a larger set of twelve, eleven of which were by Samuel Dixon, in these Rooms, 19 November 1992, lot 6.
We are grateful to Robert Beardsley Esq. for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.