A fine set of four 19th Century hand coloured engravings of pigeons, by Edward Lear. These are presented in our handmade copies of an original Regency frame. These frames are made in our workshop, using the traditional methods of wood, plaster, gesso, bole and gilding with 23 carat gold leaf. The glass mounts are decorated with the Verre Eglomise technique. They are subtly aged and finished with a period or hand cast brass picture ring for hanging. Circa 1855.Magnificent Fruit Pigeon, The Nicobar Ground Pigeon, Blue & Green Turteline, Sharp-Tailed VinagoThe engravings came from ''''The Naturalists Library'''' by Edward Lear, Edited by Sir William Jardine - 1833 - 1843. Edward Lear (1812 - 1888) was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet. He was born in to a family of 21 children, he had a rather tough childhood, with various health issues. By the age of 16 he was already making a living from his drawings and he soon developed into a serious ''ornithological draughtsman''''. He was later employed as an ornithological draughtman by the zoological society (1832 - 1836). He was the first major bird artist to draw birds from real birds instead of skins and was one of the greatest ornithological artists of his era. He taught Elizabeth Gould whilst also contributing to John Gould''s works and was compared by some to the naturalist John James Audubon. His first book was published in 1846 ''''A Book Of Nonsense'''' A volume of limericks, he was most famous for the Owl & he Pussy Cat. He also wrote music for Tennysons poetry. As his eyesight deteriorated, he painted landscapes and travelled to India, Greece, Egypt and he eventually settled in San Remo with his much loved cat Foss. Height is 29cm (11.4inches)
Width is 22.5cm (8.9inches)
Depth is 2.5cm (1.0inches)