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Lot Essay
Samuel Dixon's first 'Sett of curious Foreign Bird Pieces' were being prepared in 1749 and so-advertised in Faulkner's Dublin Journal for 4 April that year; the sets of twelve were probably first offered for sale in the summer of 1750. The subject matter derived from George Edward's Natural History of Uncommon Birds, published 1743-51, the descriptions were also drawn directly from Edwards' works, and they were originally offered in black and gilt japanned frames which survive here. The reference to James almost certainly indicates the hand of James Riley, one of Dixon's apprentices at Capel Street (see note to lot 181).
From the outset Dixon had invited subscriptions from the nobility and gentry, and accordingly the set carried a printed dedication to the Rt. Hon. Chaworth Brabazon, Earl of Meath, on no.1, the Chinese painted or golden pheasant.
The sudden success of Dixon's enterprise prompted a series of imitations of varying quality, and Dixon went to great trouble to design his labels with a complex border as one means to avoid forgery. He also posted a notice in the press to refute the pretensions of one competitor whom he evidently found particularly irksome.
Part sets from this series offered at auction include a set of nine, the Property of The late 16th Earl of Dalhousie, sold by order of the Executors, Christie's, London, 6 July 2000, lot 5 (£97,250), and a set of eleven (plus one by Isaac Spackman) sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 19 November 1992, lot 6 (£49,500).
From the outset Dixon had invited subscriptions from the nobility and gentry, and accordingly the set carried a printed dedication to the Rt. Hon. Chaworth Brabazon, Earl of Meath, on no.1, the Chinese painted or golden pheasant.
The sudden success of Dixon's enterprise prompted a series of imitations of varying quality, and Dixon went to great trouble to design his labels with a complex border as one means to avoid forgery. He also posted a notice in the press to refute the pretensions of one competitor whom he evidently found particularly irksome.
Part sets from this series offered at auction include a set of nine, the Property of The late 16th Earl of Dalhousie, sold by order of the Executors, Christie's, London, 6 July 2000, lot 5 (£97,250), and a set of eleven (plus one by Isaac Spackman) sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 19 November 1992, lot 6 (£49,500).