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Lot 127

JOHN COTTON (1801-1849) Studies of British birds

a collection from one of the artist's earlier sketchbooks, watercolour with pen and ink on paper, 15cm x 23cm, framed individually (25)

Provenance: By descent from the artist's family;
Christie's sale, April 1976;
Private Collection, UK.

Condition Report: click here
Estimate: £500 - £1,000
Hammer price: £1,900
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.

John Cotton was an important British ornithological writer and artist, most well known for the studies of Australian birds that he completed after his migration to the country in 1843. 

The current lot comprises studies from his earlier career, when he focused on British birds; during this period, he published 'The Resident Song Birds of Great Britain' and 'The Song Birds of Great Britain'. The leaves that comprise the present lot were most likely completed in the 1830s.

The pictures are extensively annotated by the artist, rather than signed by him. Overall condition is good, with the colours generally well preserved, and the pictures are sympathetically framed and glazed. The more fully realised watercolours are generally in better condition than the more fragmentary skecthes; the sketches are more heavily affected by foxing. Please see additional images available on request.

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