Hawk killing a bittern

Details

Sawrey Gilpin, R.A. (1733-1807)
Hawk killing a bittern
oil on canvas
34 1/8 x 45¼ in. (86.7 x 114.9 cm.)

Provenance

Revd. W.E. Torr, Carlett Park, Eastham, Cheshire (according to a label on the reverse).
E. Everitt, Devon; Christie's, London, 23 February 1951, lot 104, sold as a pair with 'A Hawk killing a Ptarmigan' (4 gns. to Everitt).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The Falconers' Society, later The Falconers' Club, was founded in 1770. Meetings were held every April for kite and crow hawking. In 1783, the establishment consisted of 32 slight falcons (or peregrin), 13 German hawks (goshawks) and 7 Iceland falcons. Colonel Thornton was manager of the club and after George Walpole's death in 1791 the Club was controlled by Lord Berners. The Club later became known as the 'High Ash Club'. Heron hunting continued as a popular sport until the mid-19th Century.

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