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ENGLISH SCHOOL, circa 1801
'The Peacock Pheasant' [Grey Peacock Pheasant [Polyplectron bialcaratum])
[no date but paper watermarked 1801]. Watercolour and bodycolour, on wove paper, titled at lower margin in contemporary calligraphic hand 'The Peacock Pheasant', watermarked '1801 / J.Whatman'. Sheet size: 15 3/8 x 11 3/4 inches.
A fine quality original watercolour of the national bird of Burma.
There are five sub-species of this most beautiful of all pheasants which is also known as the Chinquis. They are all found in the tropical rain-forests of south-east Asia. The Himalayan Grey (P. b. bakeri )is native to Bhutan and western Assam and the Burmese Grey (P. b. bicalcaratum), which can be found in eastern Assam, Burma, Thailand and Laos, the Hainan Grey (P. b. katsumatae) is found only on the island of Hainan, the Ghigi's Grey (P. b. ghigii) is native to south-eastern China and the Lowe's Grey (P. b. bailyi) whose range is not well known, but is believed to be native to western Assam.
The present image recalls the work of George Edwards (1694-1773, see his 'A Natural History of Birds' and 'Gleanings of Natural History', London, 1743-64), but does not appear to be a copy. The brushwork and modelling are both very assured with some excellent detailing particularly to the bird's head. This suggests that this is the work of an unfortunately unidentified professional artist, and the sense of movement and individuality would also support the suggestion that this work was drawn from life.
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#9300 $1,500.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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