Grey Horse Mare Grisette Oil Painting Signed & Framed

"Grisette" (1925) by Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939) | Original British Sporting Horse Oil Painting | Signed Antique Equestrian Art | Cheshire Hunt Interest

An Exceptional Original Sporting Oil Painting

A superb original oil on canvas titled "Grisette", painted from life on 19 February 1925 by renowned British sporting artist Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939).

Painted in Nantwich, Cheshire, this outstanding equestrian portrait depicts the elegant flea-bitten grey hunter mare Grisette standing proudly in full profile. Rich in detail and beautifully observed, the painting captures the strength, elegance and character of a classic British hunting horse.

Recent provenance research has reunited the painting with its correct title after a later cataloguing error. Earlier auction records confirm the horse's name as Grisette, not "Griselle", strengthening its documented provenance.

About the Horse

Grisette is portrayed with exceptional anatomical accuracy, displaying the qualities expected of a first-class British hunter.

Deep chest indicating stamina.
Powerful hindquarters.
Clean, athletic limbs.
Intelligent, refined expression.
Beautifully painted flea-bitten grey coat in subtle silver, cream and charcoal tones.

The reverse retains the artist's original inscription:

"Painted from Life at Nantwich – H. Herbert St. John Jones – Feb. 19th, 1925."

This confirms the horse was painted directly from life rather than from photographs or imagination.

Historical Interest

Painted during the golden age of British fox hunting, this work originates from one of England's most celebrated sporting counties.

Herbert St. John Jones is documented as having received commissions from the Duke and Duchess of Westminster at Eaton Hall, placing him within the artistic circle surrounding the historic Cheshire Hunt.

While no documentary evidence currently identifies Grisette as a Grosvenor-owned horse, the painting's date, location and the artist's documented patronage place it firmly within the distinguished Cheshire sporting tradition.

The historical observations, provenance research and attribution presented here represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, based on examination of the painting, documentary research and comparative analysis. Unless supported by primary documentary evidence, references to ownership or patronage should be understood as informed opinion rather than definitive fact.

The Artist

Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939) worked from his Nantwich studio and became one of Cheshire's leading painters of horses, livestock and rural sporting life.

His documented patrons included the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, and today his works are highly sought after by collectors of British sporting art, equestrian paintings and country house antiques.

Signed & Inscribed

Signed lower left.
Titled "Grisette" lower right.
Fully inscribed verso by the artist.
Original "The Windsor Canvas – Made in England" stamp to the reverse.

Frame

Presented in a later giltwood gallery frame which complements the painting well.

Minor age-related wear only.

Measurements

Canvas: 33.3 cm x 27.7 cm

Frame: 49.7 cm x 42 cm x 4.5 cm

Provenance

Private Collection.
Dreweatts Neate, 29 May 2002.
Originally catalogued correctly as Grisette.
Offered alongside companion painting Silverbank.
Later catalogued under the transcription error "Griselle".

Examination of the artist's original inscription confirms the correct title as Grisette, restoring the painting's documented auction history.

Condition

Presented in very good antique condition.

Original canvas.
Stable age-related craquelure.
Historic professional reverse canvas repair.
Minor foxing consistent with age.
Giltwood frame with light age-related wear and small losses.

Ready for display.

Why Buy This Painting?

Original signed Herbert St. John Jones oil painting.
Painted from life in Nantwich, Cheshire.
Dated 19 February 1925.

Documented auction provenance.

Fine example of British sporting art.
Attractive antique horse portrait with strong historical interest.

A wonderful acquisition for collectors of British sporting paintings, antique equestrian art, horse portraits, fox hunting memorabilia, country house interiors, Cheshire history, traditional sporting antiques and original oil paintings.

Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packed, fully insured and dispatched with care.

Please browse our Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD gallery for more original fine art, sporting paintings and quality antiques.