15th Nov, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1019
John Varley OWS (1778-1842)
"Bala Lake, North Wales"
Signed and dated 1811, pencil and watercolour, together with a companion example by the same artist, "Dolgelly, North Wales", 20.5cm by 29.5cm and 21.5cm by 31.5cm respectively (2)
Provenance: Leger Galleries, London, December 1967
Private Collection, Scotland
Sold for £1,200
Estimated at £250 - £400
DOLGELLY: No undulations visible. No tears or creases. The paper has a diagonally aligned texture, and ridges are visible in the bottom right corner (see raking light image). Slight darkening of paper noticable at the edges. Colour likely a little faded - see greens.
BALA: Paper has marked horizontal undulations. No tears or creases. Colours likely a little faded. Some darkening of paper noticable at the edges. Three blue dabs of paint around the signature - unsure what these are.
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Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 15th Nov, 2025
An early work by Alfred Munnings depicting Romani life at Norwich’s historic Tombland Fair is set to lead the sale. Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) grew up in the deeply rural Waveney Valley in Suffolk, and his childhood was spent sketching the working horses around the family mill. Going on to set up his own studio, the opening decade of the 20th century saw him established himself as an artist painting in rural East Anglia, documenting the countryside and country life, sketching travellers, working horses and the local society in his characteristic impressionistic manner, filled with colour and light. It was only after the First World War that he went on to concentrate on painting horses, becoming the most celebrated equestrian artist of the 20th century.
A good range of traditional Sporting art of offer in the sale includes a rare depiction of a 19th century boxing match - one of the most fascinating works in the sale. It illustrates the match which took place between Carter and Oliver at Gretna Green on 4th October 1816 on the estate of Sir James Maxwell. The stakes were a hefty 100 guineas each, and the contest took place in a 24-foot roped ring in front of approximately 30,000 spectators, leaving the streets around Carlisle empty. Going into the match, Oliver was the favourite to win, but despite rumours of Carter’s lack of prowess, he dominated the fight and came out the victor. Carter was seconded by Painter and Harmer, and Oliver by Cribb and Copper, whose names are painted on the bottom of the frame.
There is also a strong selection of ornithological works by the likes of Archibald Thorburn and John Cyril Harrison.
Further highlights of the sale include The Incredulity of St Thomas by a Follower of Philippe de Champaigne, and a charming depiction of two children inspecting a bird’s nest by Dorothea Sharp.
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Sunday 9th November - Thursday 13th November 11am-3pm, Friday 14th November 8am-3pm, and morning of the sale from 8am
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