Item Ref. 3413

HUSTON, circa 1840

This is a full-length portrait of a lady standing in a garden landscape, a wilting white rose in her hand. She is wearing a black dress, the style typical of the early Victorian era with its wide skirt, narrow waist and white lace undersleeves. The neckline is decorated with a blue and white ribbon secured by a small gold brooch. One ever so tiny foot can be seen peeping out from under her dress.

Watercolour on card with gum arabic highlights, signed HUSTON/ 44 St Paul's Street. A date following the artist's name has been obscured possibly out of vanity by the sitter not wishing her friends to deduce her true age. It is housed in the original maple veneer frame with gilt slip.

Framed size: 111/2 x 93/4" (293 x 250mm)

S O L D !

Item Ref. 3392

ANGLO-INDIAN SCHOOL, 1848

This piece is a personal favourite as it comes with a well-documented and colourful history. The subject of the painting is a chestnut brown horse called Jack who is depicted majestically standing in his stable. Jack belonged to Lieutenant John George Henry Philipps of the 41st Madras Native Infantry who has recorded Jack's achievements on the backing board of the painting:

Unsigned watercolour on paper set in a really handsome bird's eye maple veneer frame with gilt slip.

Framed size: 111/4 x 135/8" (285 x 345mm)

S O L D !

Lieutenant John G. H. Philipps received a cadetship in the East India Company Service in the 1840s, and sailed to Madras. He became a Lieutenant in the 41st Madras Native Infantry, and obtained his company in 1862. He married and had three children, Grismond, Alice and Blanche.

Item Ref. 3070

AMERICAN NAIVE SCHOOL, circa 1850

An unusual pair of half-length profile portraits of a gentleman and his wife each standing before deeply coloured tasselled drapes against stippled sky blue backgrounds. The gentleman sports a impressive moustache and side whiskers and is wearing a black frock-coat and white frilled shirt. The lady is wearing a pink dress edged with white lace and has a patterned blue-grey shawl across her arms. For jewellery she has a black beaded necklace and blue drop earrings and has her hair drawn back in a plaited knot held with gold clips.

Watercolour on ivory, unsigned. The portraits are housed in matching painted pine-wood frames with shaped glass.

Framed size: 4 x 31/2" (103 x 90mm)

Price: £775

Item Ref. 2197

ENGLISH SCHOOL, early 19th century

This is a charming watercolour painting of a little cherub resting on a cloud. He even has gossamer wings which are just about visible. During the 19th century drawing was considered a 'polite recreation' for young ladies, and its accomplishment was a sign of gentility. The inspiration for their artistic endeavours often came from old master paintings and prints.

The watercolour is housed in a period bird's eye maple veneer frame with a gilt slip.

Framed size: 12 x 10" (305 x 207mm)

Price: £165

Item Ref. 2456

ENGLISH SCHOOL, circa 1845

A watercolour profile portrait of a lady standing in an outdoor landscape with hills and trees with a man in a frock-coat and top hat in the background behind the fence. The lady is wearing an ochre-coloured dress with a pointed bodice, a full flounced skirt, and bell-shaped sleeves with half-sleeves underneath. Her hair is draped over her ears and drawn back into a plaited knot.

The paper has age-browning especially in the unpainted sky area but because the painting is in sepia tones this does not detract from it. There is also a small hole in the grass area but a piece of old paper inserted behind makes it less noticeable. The watercolour is housed in the original dark wood frame with gilt slip (distressed) and old bubbled glass.

Portrait to view: 11¼ x 8½" (284 x 218mm)
Framed size: 15¼ x 12¾" (387 x 322mm)

Price: £225