Lot 189
  • 189

Joseph Powell, P.N.W.S.

Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description

  • Joseph Powell, P.N.W.S.
  • An Album - A Series of Views of the Town of Bridgnorth and village of Quatford, Shropshire
  • Twenty-five, each watercolour over pencil, some with touches of bodycolour and stopping out, all bound into an original album, finely decorated with gilded and tooled leather;
    twenty signed, the album pages inscribed with locations and dated between 1828 and 1830, further inscribed on a title page: A SERIES OF VIEWS / OF THE TOWN OF BRIDGNORTH / AND VILLAGE OF QUATFORD / DRAWN FOR MR. J. SMALMAN. / IN 1828. 1829. 1830 / BY J. POWELL ESQ. / PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PAINTERS / IN WATER COLOUR
  • The Watercolours: 75 by 114 mm; The Album: 303 by 242 mm
including Bridgnorth from the Knoll-sands; Bridgnorth Bridge; Bridgnorth from the town mills; Bridgnorth approaching from Hermitage Hill; Phillis's Bower, Bridgnorth; Bridgnorth from the Hermitage Rock; the New Road Bridgnorth; Bridgnorth approaching from Stanley Hall; the Grammar School; Bridgnorth from St James' Meadow; The High Rock near Bridgnorth; The Town Mills and Pendlestone Rock Bridgnorth; Pendlestone Rock near Bridgnorth; Quatford from the ferry; Quatford approaching from Kidderminster; Danish Camp Quatford; Quatford approaching from Bridgnorth; Quatford from the Witches Bank; Quatford from the churchyard; Quatford Castle from Walden Dingle; Quatford Castle from the cliff meadows; Quatford Castle approaching from Bridgnorth; Quatford Castle from the foot of the Danish Camp; Quatford Castle from Sladeford Meadows; the Watch Tower, Quatford Castle

Provenance

Commissioned by John Smallman, circa 1828;
by family descent to the present owners

Condition

The watercolours in this beautiful album are extremely well preserved, having never seen the light of day. The album itself is generally in very good condition.
"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

The landscapes in this beautifully preserved album depict the picturesque villages of Bridgnorth and Quatford, which lie in Shropshire, close to the Welsh board. They were painted between 1828 and 1830 for John Smallman, Mayor of Bridgnorth. He was an architect, who built and subsequently lived in Quatford Castle. 

Although Joseph Powell was born and raised in London, he had family connections with Hereforeshire and Worcestershire. He often painted there and a sketchbook, signed ‘J. Powell, Salop, Bridgnorth,’ survives in the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 1831, he became the first President of the New Society of Painters in Water Colours.