Sporting Oil Painting Of An Arabian Horse In The Bombay Stables

English Victorian sporting oil painting of an Arabian horse in the Bombay Stables, India, c.1900
A charming English Victorian sporting oil painting depicting a magnificent Purebred Red Chestnut Arabian horse standing within the celebrated Bombay Stables, India (modern-day Mumbai). Painted circa 1900 in the manner of Charles Bilger Spalding (1810–1871), this elegant equestrian portrait combines fine decorative appeal with fascinating Anglo-Indian history.
Executed in oil on board, the composition portrays the noble Arabian horse standing proudly in full side profile beneath a pale green canvas awning, protecting it from the Indian sun. Beyond the stable yard, Bombay Harbour provides a peaceful backdrop with a sailing yacht visible on the distant estuary, creating a beautifully balanced and atmospheric composition.
The artist has skilfully captured the horse's elegant proportions, powerful musculature and rich chestnut colouring, contrasted against soft greens, warm earth tones and delicate blue skies. The result is a timeless Victorian sporting painting that would sit beautifully within both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Presented in its original decorative gilt frame, this piece is ready to hang and would make an impressive addition to a country house, library, study, hallway or living room. It will appeal to collectors of English sporting art, equestrian paintings, Arabian horse portraits, Anglo-Indian works and Victorian oil paintings.
Provenance
Original labels remain attached to the reverse.
• Holloway's Auctioneers, Banbury, Oxfordshire
• Original typed collection label reading:
"Chestnut Arab in the Bombay Stables
Bought from the Anneji
And sold for £980."
• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Measurements
Height: 13.6 inches (34.5 cm)
Width: 16.5 inches (42 cm)
Depth: 1.8 inches (4.5 cm)
Condition
Presented in good antique condition with the expected signs of age including craquelure, light foxing and minor paint loss around the outer edges. The original gilt frame displays age-related wear including light scuffs, surface marks and small losses, all consistent with its age. Please refer to the photographs, which form part of the condition description.
A decorative collector's piece
A beautifully decorative Victorian equestrian painting combining English sporting art with the romance of colonial India. Rich in colour, character and historical interest, it offers an elegant focal point for any interior while appealing to collectors seeking authentic nineteenth-century sporting and equestrian artwork.