Lot Essay
Both pictures are from Dixon's 1750 set of twelve 'Foreign Birds'. The peacock pheasant is no.II and is taken from Edwards, vol.II, fig.67 and the partridge is no.X and is from Edwards, vol.II, no.70 (see: Longfield, 1975, p.8 and fig.6.).
An example of the peacock pheasant was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 15 November 1990, lot 14. Like this one it was inscribed James on the reverse. This refers to James Riley, one of Dixon's three apprentices. Details of his apprentices are recorded in John O'Keefe, Recollections, London, 1826, vol.I, pp.18-19 and in Longfield, 1980, p.5.
A red-legged partridge was sold from the collection of the late Cicely, Marchioness of Zetland, in these Rooms, 10 May 1973, lot 14
An example of the peacock pheasant was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 15 November 1990, lot 14. Like this one it was inscribed James on the reverse. This refers to James Riley, one of Dixon's three apprentices. Details of his apprentices are recorded in John O'Keefe, Recollections, London, 1826, vol.I, pp.18-19 and in Longfield, 1980, p.5.
A red-legged partridge was sold from the collection of the late Cicely, Marchioness of Zetland, in these Rooms, 10 May 1973, lot 14