What characterises 19th-century portraiture of British monarchs?

During the 19th century, heightened interest in British lineage led artists to create historicist portraits of earlier rulers, recreating original 17th-century compositions, costume details, and royal insignia.

What materials were traditionally used for 19th-century oil portraits?

These works were typically painted using oil pigments on stretched linen canvas or wood panel, framed within hand-gilded timber or moulded plaster frames.

How can one identify authentic period oil paintings from this era?

Authentic period examples display consistent surface craquelure, natural age oxidation on the canvas backing, original stretcher timbering, and historic gilding methods on the frame.

How can a historical royal portrait be styled in a modern interior?

Displaying a dark historical portrait against a contemporary painted wall or above a sleek console table creates an engaging visual contrast between traditional subject matter and modern interior lines.

How should an antique oil painting on canvas be cared for?

Position the artwork away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity, dusting the frame gently with a dry soft-bristled brush while avoiding liquid cleaners on the paint surface.

for sale €9,945 $10,795

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19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

Name: 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1211689
Price: 8500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Description

19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II English School circa 1850

English School, circa 1850, after Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680). A 19th-century oil on canvas portrait depicting King Charles II in armour, based on Lely’s established Restoration portrait type. This work reflects the Victorian revival of royal imagery and remains a strong decorative and historical piece.

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Subject & Medium

Oil on canvas showing Charles II in armour with a white cravat and insignia referencing the Order of the Garter, symbolising royal authority and chivalric tradition.

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Composition & Technique

The King is presented in a three-quarter pose with a composed outward gaze. He wears a full periwig and armour, rendered in a subdued palette of deep browns and warm tones. The darker background enhances the flesh tones and highlights across the armour. The face is softly modelled, with broader handling elsewhere, typical of a 19th-century interpretation after an Old Master.

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About the Sitter

Charles II (1630–1685), son of Charles I, spent years in exile following the Civil War before returning at the Restoration in 1660. His reign saw a revival of the arts and court culture. As Sovereign of the Order of the Garter, he represented continuity of monarchy and tradition.

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Historical Context

19th-century collectors revived interest in earlier royal portraiture. This painting follows a recognised 17th-century composition, reinterpreted for Victorian taste while preserving the visual language of the Restoration court.

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Size

Canvas: 62 cm × 52 cm

Framed: 71.5 cm × 61 cm × 2 cm

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Frame

Original frame, later overpainted in gold. Shows underlying wear and minor losses but remains structurally sound.

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Provenance

Private UK collection (Kevill-Davies); UK art trade; Woolley & Wallis Old Masters; curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.

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Condition Report

Stable condition. Age-related wear including minor losses, thinning and historic retouching. Fine craquelure throughout. Varnish slightly dull. Face well preserved. Frame stable with visible age beneath later finish.

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Worldwide shipping available. Fully insured and professionally packed. Enquiries welcome.

Date of Manufacture

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this King Charles II Oil Portrait to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Check ID 09481823

Dealer's Item Date19th Century

Sellingantiques Date19th Century

Sellingantiques agingItem 145-210 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 19TH CENTURY:

Canvas reverse darkened to a deep brown: natural oxidisation over more than a century.

Stretcher bars cut from slow-grown pine: timber work standard before modern machined stock.

Fine all-over craquelure through the oil glazes: long-term drying and seasonal movement.

Worn hand-applied gilt finish on the frame: decades of dusting and gentle handling.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions

Width

61cm (24.02")

Depth

2cm (0.79")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1211689

Dealers Internal Reference

CAC-SK-0474

Dealers Notes

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Additional information is available in our Terms & Conditions and Returns Policy.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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Nothing in this information excludes or restricts statutory consumer rights.

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Company No. 15666518

VAT No. GB 466128775

Description

19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II English School circa 1850

English School, circa 1850, after Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680).

“

A 19th-century oil on canvas portrait depicting King Charles II in armour, based on Lely’s established Restoration portrait type.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

This work reflects the Victorian revival of royal imagery and remains a strong decorative and historical piece.

fig 1. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 1. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

────────────────────────────────────────

Subject & Medium

Oil on canvas showing Charles II in armour with a white cravat and insignia referencing the Order of the Garter, symbolising royal authority and chivalric tradition.

fig 2. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 2. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

────────────────────────────────────────

Composition & Technique

The King is presented in a three-quarter pose with a composed outward gaze. He wears a full periwig and armour, rendered in a subdued palette of deep browns and warm tones. The darker background enhances the flesh tones and highlights across the armour. The face is softly modelled, with broader handling elsewhere, typical of a 19th-century interpretation after an Old Master.

fig 3. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 3. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

────────────────────────────────────────

About the Sitter

Charles II (1630–1685), son of Charles I, spent years in exile following the Civil War before returning at the Restoration in 1660. His reign saw a revival of the arts and court culture. As Sovereign of the Order of the Garter, he represented continuity of monarchy and tradition.

fig 4. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 4. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

────────────────────────────────────────

Historical Context

19th-century collectors revived interest in earlier royal portraiture. This painting follows a recognised 17th-century composition, reinterpreted for Victorian taste while preserving the visual language of the Restoration court.

fig 5. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 5. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

────────────────────────────────────────

Size

Canvas: 62 cm × 52 cm

Framed: 71.5 cm × 61 cm × 2 cm

────────────────────────────────────────

Frame

Original frame, later overpainted in gold. Shows underlying wear and minor losses but remains structurally sound.

────────────────────────────────────────

Provenance

Private UK collection (Kevill-Davies); UK art trade; Woolley & Wallis Old Masters; curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.

────────────────────────────────────────

fig 7. A 19th-century framed oil portrait depicting King Charles II wearing armour, a white lace cravat, and the Order of the Garter medallion against a dark background. — fig 7. 19th Century Oil Portrait of King Charles II with Order of the Garter

Condition Report

Stable condition. Age-related wear including minor losses, thinning and historic retouching. Fine craquelure throughout. Varnish slightly dull. Face well preserved. Frame stable with visible age beneath later finish.

────────────────────────────────────────

Worldwide shipping available. Fully insured and professionally packed. Enquiries welcome.

Date of Manufacture

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this King Charles II Oil Portrait to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 09481823

Dealer's Item Date19th Century

Sellingantiques dating19th Century

Sellingantiques agingItem 145-210 years old

Test ResultsPassed dating check

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 19th Century:

Canvas reverse darkened to a deep brown: natural oxidisation over more than a century.

Stretcher bars cut from slow-grown pine: timber work standard before modern machined stock.