A set of four George III embossed and gouache-painted pictures of birds circa 1755, by Samuel Dixon

painted with various birds perched amongst flowering foliage; the 'Indian Bee Eater' and the 'Green Winged Dove' with their original printed description and dedication to the back of the frame.  Not examined out of frames.

The late Mrs. Robert Tritton, Godmersham Park, Kent

Christie's House Sale, June 7, 1983, lots 257-258

The Indian Bee Eater appears to be in original frame and with original printed description to back (with losses) - chips and losses to japanned frame; some yellowing to the background and colors overall but appear to be in-tact, some minor stains. The Green-Winged Dove appears to be in original frame and with original printed description to back - chips and losses to japanned frame; the picture with some stains to the background - colors appear to be vibrant and white background has not yellowed; some small areas of inpainting to background and to head of large bird with some cracking to paper. The 'Chaffinch' within a later frame; the background with extensive yellowing, colors slightly yellowed; some small inpainting to bottom edge at right side. The 'Goldfinch' within a later frame and with some yellowing to background, colors slightly yellowed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present group of paintings is from Dixon's 'Foreign and Domestick Birds' of 1755, distinguished from the 1753 set by its larger size. Like his other paintings, many of these birds and compositions were based off of plates from George Edward's Natural History of Uncommon Birds, 1743-51,  'The Green-Winged Dove, with cock and hen Red-throated humming birds' was dedicated to Lady Molesworth and is found in volume I of Edward's work and is a mixture of plates 14 and 38.  'The Indian Bee-Eater, Black and White Indian Starling and the Brazilian Finch' was dedicated to Lady Howth (Countess of Howth) and is found in volume IV of Edward's work and is a mixture of plates 183, 187 and 191. The 'Chaffinch' was dedicated to the Countess of Meath and the 'Goldfinch' was dedicated to the Duchess of Dorset.