British Folk Art Racing Pigeons – Old Badge Hen & Holley Brothers Cock

British Folk Art Racing Pigeons – Old Badge Hen & Holley Brothers Cock
Characterful Inscribed Sporting Trophy Portrait Attributed to J. Brown
Oil on Board, circa 1930 | Private London Collection & Curated Auctions Provenance
Highlights
• Characterful British sporting folk art
• Double portrait of historic racing pigeons
• Attributed to J. Brown
• Named “Old Badge Hen”
• Extensively inscribed Holley Brothers racing cock
• Whitley Bay 1909 achievement recorded
• Period carved wooden frame
• London private collection and auction provenance
• Museum exhibition history
Introduction
A wonderfully characterful British folk-art painting celebrating the historic culture of competitive pigeon racing.
Two strongly individualised birds dominate the composition: the chequered Old Badge Hen at left and a lighter racing cock associated with Messrs Holley Brothers at right. Their inscriptions preserve an unusually personal history of breeding, competition and ownership.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Attributed to J. Brown
Date: Early 20th century, circa 1930
Medium: Oil on board
Signature: Unsigned
Painting: approximately 44 × 41 cm
Framed: approximately 57 × 52 × 2.5 cm
Catalogue Note
Old Badge Hen's name is painted directly beneath the bird. Her inscription records her as dam and grand-dam of successful racers, with references to Perth, Buxton and Craven Arms.
The companion cock carries a considerably longer racing résumé headed “MESSRS HOLLEY BRO. BUTE”. Among the clearest passages are “1st Whitley Bay 09”, “1st Pool”, “2nd Tynmth” and “5th Perth”, followed by references to Banff and Trehafod.
This combination of decorative painting and documentary inscription gives the work particular appeal as British social history as well as sporting art.
The Artist
Attributed to J. Brown, whose associated racing-pigeon paintings combine direct naive representation with carefully observed plumage and extensive sporting inscriptions.
The work is unsigned and the attribution is therefore appropriately qualified.
Dating
Early 20th century, circa 1930.
The 1909 inscription records one of the cock's racing achievements and does not represent the painting's execution date.
Provenance
Private London-based pigeon fancier collection.
Curated Auctions, London, 6 December 2024, Lot 370.
Acquired and subsequently curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Exhibition History
Privately loaned and exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire.
Dimensions
Painting approximately 44 × 41 cm.
Overall approximately 57 × 52 × 2.5 cm framed.
Condition Report
The historic painted surface displays craquelure, scattered marks and spotting, with vertical staining or discolouration towards the left. The carved wooden frame displays age-related wear and evidence of historic repair and retouching.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.
International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.
Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.
Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
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