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CHESHIRE ANTIQUES CONSULTANT LTD

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Item Details

Victorian Sporting Oil Painting c.1880
The Meet at Berkeley Vale (The Berkeley Hunt)
By Charles Faulkner
(This painting is number 1 in a set of 4. The remaining three works in the hunting series are available separately. If you wish to purchase all four together, please send a message.)
Subject & Medium
Executed in oil on board, this work depicts The Meet—the formal gathering of huntsmen and hounds at the start of the day’s chase. Set in Berkeley Vale, Gloucestershire, long associated with the historic Berkeley Hunt, the composition reflects the calm discipline, etiquette, and anticipation that precede the excitement of the hunt.
The firm, smooth board surface allows for crisp detailing, refined contours, and the atmospheric precision that characterises Faulkner’s sporting subjects.
Composition & Technique
Faulkner creates a poised and measured prelude to the chase. Riders in traditional scarlet coats assemble in composed formation: some deep in conversation, others adjusting tack or preparing their mounts. In the distance, a cluster of hounds and whippers-in waits attentively, their lighter coats catching the cool morning light.
Winter hedgerows and bare trees frame the scene in tones of brown, umber, and green, capturing the look of the late-season Gloucestershire countryside.
Above, an overcast sky spreads across the composition, built from short, textured strokes of grey and muted blue. This atmosphere—both calm and expectant—forms an elegant contrast with the warmth of the scarlet coats. The palette remains balanced and naturalistic, consistent with Victorian sporting art.
Faulkner’s brushwork is disciplined and narrative-driven:
• Fine, controlled strokes describe the horses’ musculature and the riders’ attire
• Rhythmic strokes animate the clouded sky
• Subtle impasto catches highlights on coats and tack
• Quick, lively marks define the hounds
• Scumbling and glazing unify hedgerows and fields
The result is a scene rich in calm ceremony and character—an exemplary depiction of the hunt’s opening act.
About the Artist – Charles Faulkner (Active c.1874–1900)
Charles Faulkner was a Victorian sporting painter known for expressive equestrian and hunting scenes. His work is admired for:
• Accurate and sensitive portrayal of horses and hounds
• Strong narrative rhythm and compositional clarity
• Authentic representation of traditional hunt attire and customs
Faulkner’s pieces remain highly collectable within nineteenth-century British sporting art.
Signature
Signed “C. Faulkner” lower right.
Framing
Recently reframed in a decorative Larson-Juhl moulding and fitted with AR70 low-reflection, UV-protective glass. This specialist glazing improves clarity, reduces glare, protects against fading, and enhances tonal balance—producing a museum-quality presentation.
Framed Dimensions: 41 cm (W) × 26.5 cm (H) × 4 cm (D)
A refined, versatile scale ideal for studies, libraries, hallways, and curated gallery walls.
Provenance
• Gloucestershire Art & Antiques Dealer
• Harriet Wynter, Interior Decorations & Antiques, Brighton
• Private Collection
• Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
• Exhibited at the Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire (2025)
Highlights
• Rare, atmospheric depiction of the renowned Berkeley Hunt
• Elegant Victorian equestrian narrative with rich detail and character
• Balanced palette of scarlet coats, cool greys, and earthy landscape tones
• Strong draughtsmanship and authenticated brushwork
• Museum-exhibited, supported by excellent provenance
• Presented in a newly upgraded Larson-Juhl frame with AR70 glazing
Condition
In good condition for its age (c.1880).
The surface shows fine, natural craquelure and some foxing in the sky, along with very minor paint losses to areas of lower foreground green.
The varnish is clear and evenly preserved.
The board remains flat, stable, and free from warping.
The Larson-Juhl frame and AR70 glass are in excellent condition.
Overall: clean, stable, and ready to hang.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packed and fully insured for secure delivery.
A distinguished addition to any collection of Victorian sporting, equestrian, or British country-house art.

  • Period: 1880
    • Price: £4,000.00
    • €4,538 Euro
    • $5,228 US Dollar
  • Location: London
    • Dimensions: H: 26.5cm (10.43in)
    • W: 41cm (16.14in)
    • D: 4cm (1.57in)