- 4
English School
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- English School
- A view of Purley Hall, Purley on Thames, Berkshire, with Warren Hastings's menagerie
- oil on canvas, in a British Baroque style part gilt frame
Provenance
Mrs Blofeld, her sale, Jarman's, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, May 1955;
bt. by Bryan Hall, Smallburgh Rectory, Norfolk (later the Old Rectory, Banningham, Norfolk)
bt. by Bryan Hall, Smallburgh Rectory, Norfolk (later the Old Rectory, Banningham, Norfolk)
Literature
Country Life, 'Correspondence,' July 28th 1955, p.202, illus., August 11th 1955, p.291., August 25th 1955., September 1st., 1955, p.444-5
Condition
STRUCTURE
The canvas has been lined.
PAINT SURFACE
The painting appears to be in good condition and has been cleaned.
ULTRAVIOLET
Examination under ultravilet light reveals scattered retouching to minor previous damage and to abrassions down the edges of the picture. There is a slightly discoloured varnish overall.
FRAME
In a British Baroque style part gilt frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Warren Hastings rented Purley Hall during his trial for impeachment which lasted from 1788 to 1795. Hastings had left India in 1785 and like other East India Company officers spent a fortune exporting rare animals in order to establish an exotic menagerie in England. The voyage of such animals took no less than nine months by boat via the Cape of Good Hope and it is astonishing that the breeds represented in this painting survived to be recorded. Lord Pigot who had worked with Hastings in Madras also exported exotic animals as immortalized in George Stubbs' painting of the Cheetah and Two Indian Handlers (Manchester City Art Gallery).