Decorative Collective - www.decorativecollective.com
Sellers's Details
CHESHIRE ANTIQUES CONSULTANT LTD
Tel:
Email: [email protected]
https://www.decorativecollective.com/dealers/cheshire-antiques-consultant-ltdItem Details
English 1830s Portrait of a Woman in White Dress and Red Shawl
A visually striking English oil portrait from the 1830s depicting an elegant woman in a luminous white dress and rich red-maroon shawl.
Highlights
• English School
• Circa 1830–1839
• In the manner of James Lonsdale (1777–1839)
• Possibly Sarah (Sara) Losh (1785–1853)
• Oil on canvas
• Unsigned
• Classical-profile sleeve cameo or medallion
• Bellmans provenance
• Canvas 62 × 75 cm
• Framed approximately 72 × 86 × 5 cm
• Historically relined
• Ornate giltwood frame
Introduction
The portrait combines considerable decorative presence with an intriguing research history.
The sitter is shown half-length against a restrained dark ground. Her brunette hair is centrally parted and arranged into elongated side ringlets. The luminous white costume contrasts with a rich red-maroon shawl, while an unusual oval classical-profile ornament decorates her sleeve.
Catalogue Details
Artist: In the manner of James Lonsdale (1777–1839)
School: English
Date: Circa 1830–1839
Possible sitter: Sarah (Sara) Losh (1785–1853)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Signature: Unsigned
Canvas: 62 cm wide × 75 cm high
Framed: approximately 72 × 86 × 5 cm
Canvas: Historically relined
Frame: Ornate giltwood
Catalogue Note
The sitter's centre-parted coiffure, elongated ringlets, fitted bodice, broad neckline and short full sleeves support placement within the 1830s.
The painter has concentrated attention upon the face, with comparatively smooth flesh modelling and carefully articulated eyes.
The Cameo Sleeve Ornament
An oval ornament attached to the sleeve appears to contain a pale classical profile against a darker ground.
It is consistent with a cameo or cameo-like dress medallion. Its precise subject remains unidentified.
The Possible Sitter — Sarah (Sara) Losh
The sitter has subsequently been proposed as possibly Sarah Losh, architect and designer of Wreay.
Losh undertook architectural projects around Wreay during the 1830s and is best known for St Mary's Church of 1840–42.
No inscription or continuous Losh-family provenance currently confirms the association.
The sitter is also represented comparatively youthfully for Losh during the 1830s. The identification is consequently presented only as a possible research attribution.
The Artist — In the Manner of James Lonsdale
James Lonsdale (1777–1839) was a Lancaster-born British portrait painter who studied briefly under George Romney and entered the Royal Academy Schools.
His prolific professional career continued through the late 1830s.
The formal half-length pose, smooth facial modelling, controlled flesh tones and restrained background invite comparison with his portrait tradition.
No direct authorship by Lonsdale is claimed.
Provenance & Recorded History
Bellmans Fine Art Auctioneers, West Sussex.
*Antiques & Interiors*, 14 January 2025, Lot 25.
Catalogued as *English School, 19th Century, Portrait of a lady with a red shawl*.
Subsequently Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Dimensions
Canvas: 62 cm W × 75 cm H / approximately 24.4 × 29.5 inches.
Framed: approximately 72 cm W × 86 cm H × 5 cm D / approximately 28.3 × 33.9 × 2 inches.
Condition Report
Historically relined canvas displaying widespread age-related craquelure together with historic restoration and retouching, abrasion and surface wear.
Small visible gaps occur along portions of the frame between the canvas edge and rebate. Minor adjustment or reseating of the canvas may be required.
The ornate giltwood frame displays historic repairs, rubbing, wear, overpainting and losses.
Please refer closely to the photographs.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
The painting will be professionally packed with appropriate consideration given to the historically relined canvas and decorative gilt frame. Insured delivery can be arranged according to destination.
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.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.
Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.
- Period: Early 19th century
-
- Price: £8,200.00
- €9,574 Euro
- $10,989 US Dollar
- Location: London
-
- Dimensions: H: 86cm (33.86in)
- W: 72cm (28.35in)
- D: 5cm (1.97in)
