15th Nov, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1049
George Paice (1854-1925)
"Wappy, aged 15 years"
Monogrammed and dated (18)83, incised inscription to wet paint, further inscribed verso, oil on canvas, 21.5cm by 28cm
Sold for £480
Estimated at £200 - £300
Unlined. Five keys missing. No tension. Quantity of dirt and debris behind bottom stretcher. Canvas distorted/undulating from lack of tension, with a convex dent from blow from the reverse in the dog's face. Futher small lumpy distortions along bottom edge from debris behind stretcher. Patches of finescale brittle age craquelure. Paint and ground all stable. Very discoloured varnish which is brown where it is thickest. Quantity of surface dirt. One small scratch 1.5cm long above back.
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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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Viewing
Sunday 9th November - Thursday 13th November 11am-3pm, Friday 14th November 8am-3pm, and morning of the sale from 8am
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