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Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
for sale €2,633     $2,858
£2,250
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

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Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

19th century
Description

The Sitter

The painting depicts a British military officer in full regalia. Historical records identify him as Major-General Albert Pinson (1800–1865), who served in the East India Company's Madras Presidency service.

Context:

According to the 1851 census, Albert Pinson lived in West Monkton, Somerset—near North Curry—before his death in Exeter in 1865.

This is a large, fabulous 19th-century Victorian Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting depicting Colonel Pinson, who is poised in a half-length portrait pose whilst wearing his full military regalia.

Painted in 1852 by British artist W. Barrett.

Inscribed verso: Painted and presented to Colonel Pinson by W. Barrett - North Curry 6th Dated April 1852 & Signed W. Barrett in the lower right corner.

Mounted within the original and substantial gesso scrolled and moulded gilt frame.

The Madras Presidency (1640–1947)

Headquartered at Fort St. George, was a major administrative subdivision of the East India Company. It managed vast areas of South India, including modern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka, operating as a distinct military and civil establishment until 1858.

Key Aspects of the Madras Presidency Service: / Establishment & Evolution:

Established around 1640, it was formally designated a Presidency in 1684, becoming one of three primary Company administrative hubs along with Bombay and Bengal.

Military Service (Madras Army):

The Madras Army was one of the three Presidency armies, which played a major role in the Mysore Wars and Carnatic Wars and protected Company interests.Civil Service & Records: Civil servants managed land revenue, judicial, and political administration, with detailed records of service (1741-1858) available.

Structure:

It was ruled by a Governor, who was initially independent but became subordinate to the Governor-General in Calcutta after Pitt's India Act of 1784.

Transition:

Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, administration passed to the British Crown, and the Presidency survived until Indian independence.

Service Records:

Detailed personnel records of civil servants are available in C.C. Prinsep’s "Record of services of the Honourable East India Company's civil servants in the Madras presidency, from 1741 to 1858," which can be found in the Internet Archive and Findmypast.

Condition

The Painting and frame are offered in good original condition commensurate with age.

The canvas was re-lined during the past 30 years or so, and parts of the gesso frame have been repaired.

Framed Measurements:

Height: 38.6 Inches | 98 cm

Width: 33.3 Inches | 84.5 cm

Depth: 3 Inches | 7.6 cm

DELIVERY : UK By Private Courier £95 ( Safe & Secure ) By Hand To Your Door

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES : 07765 856171

Quote Our Ref : 0954

Physical Dimensions
Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
84.5cm (33.27")
Depth
7.6cm (2.99")
Declaration

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Antique Military Oil Portrait to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1212601
Dealers Internal Reference
0954
Dealers Notes

Payments are accepted by Bank Transfer & by Debit / Credit Cards Via the BUY NOW Payment Link Tab shown below each items description.

PAY-PAL Account Holders are welcome. CHEQUES Drawn from UK banks.

Description
The Sitter

The painting depicts a British military officer in full regalia.

Historical records identify him as Major-General Albert Pinson (1800–1865), who served in the East India Company's Madras Presidency service.
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
fig 1. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 1. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Context:

According to the 1851 census, Albert Pinson lived in West Monkton, Somerset—near North Curry—before his death in Exeter in 1865.

This is a large, fabulous 19th-century Victorian Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting depicting Colonel Pinson, who is poised in a half-length portrait pose whilst wearing his full military regalia.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 2. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Painted in 1852 by British artist W. Barrett.

Inscribed verso: Painted and presented to Colonel Pinson by W. Barrett - North Curry 6th Dated April 1852 & Signed W. Barrett in the lower right corner.

Mounted within the original and substantial gesso scrolled and moulded gilt frame.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 3. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

The Madras Presidency (1640–1947)

Headquartered at Fort St. George, was a major administrative subdivision of the East India Company. It managed vast areas of South India, including modern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka, operating as a distinct military and civil establishment until 1858.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 4. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Key Aspects of the Madras Presidency Service: / Establishment & Evolution:

Established around 1640, it was formally designated a Presidency in 1684, becoming one of three primary Company administrative hubs along with Bombay and Bengal.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 5. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Military Service (Madras Army):

The Madras Army was one of the three Presidency armies, which played a major role in the Mysore Wars and Carnatic Wars and protected Company interests.Civil Service & Records: Civil servants managed land revenue, judicial, and political administration, with detailed records of service (1741-1858) available.

fig 6. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 6. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Structure:

It was ruled by a Governor, who was initially independent but became subordinate to the Governor-General in Calcutta after Pitt's India Act of 1784.

Transition:

Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, administration passed to the British Crown, and the Presidency survived until Indian independence.

fig 7. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 7. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Service Records:

Detailed personnel records of civil servants are available in C.C. Prinsep’s "Record of services of the Honourable East India Company's civil servants in the Madras presidency, from 1741 to 1858," which can be found in the Internet Archive and Findmypast.

fig 8. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 8. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Condition

The Painting and frame are offered in good original condition commensurate with age.

The canvas was re-lined during the past 30 years or so, and parts of the gesso frame have been repaired.

Framed Measurements:

fig 9. A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
fig 9. Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Height: 38.6 Inches | 98 cm

Width: 33.3 Inches | 84.5 cm

Depth: 3 Inches | 7.6 cm

DELIVERY : UK By Private Courier £95 ( Safe & Secure ) By Hand To Your Door

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES : 07765 856171

Quote Our Ref : 0954

Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
84.5cm (33.27")
Depth
7.6cm (2.99")
Date of Manufacture

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this Antique Military Oil Portrait to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1212601
Dealers Internal Ref
0954
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2009

Private fine art dealer specialising in quality 17th 18th 19th & 20thc oil paintings shipping worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page

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A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
1 / 12
Archive I A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.

Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings

Archive II A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View IV
Archive V A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View V
Archive VI A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View VI
Archive VII A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View VII
Archive VIII A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View VIII
Archive IX A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View IX
Archive X A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View X
Archive XI A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View XI
Archive XII A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame. View XII
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A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
Major General Albert Pinson East India Company Madras Presidency Service 19th Military Officer Oil Portrait Paintings
Ref: SA1212601
A nineteenth-century oil portrait depicting a military officer wearing a scarlet uniform coat with gold epaulettes, set within an ornate carved gilt wood frame.
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Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A nineteenth-century military oil portrait is a formal painting created using oil pigments on canvas, depicting an officer in official regimental uniform. These works served as historical documentation of rank, service, and family lineage within British and colonial military branches.

Artists utilized oil pigments suspended in drying oils on natural linen or cotton canvas stretched over timber stretchers. Frames from this period were typically constructed from pine or hardwood, coated in gesso, and finished with gold leaf or metal gilding.

Authentic period portraits exhibit natural craquelure across the paint layer, timber oxidation on the stretcher frame, and period-correct uniform iconography such as epaulettes and buttons. Inspection under ultraviolet light often reveals historic varnish layers or minor restoration work.

An antique oil portrait can be hung as a focal point above a chimney piece, console table, or within a gallery wall. Combining historic fine art with modern panelling or minimalist architecture creates visual contrast while respecting classical proportions.

Canvas paintings should be displayed away from direct sunlight, dampness, and high heat sources to prevent cracking and canvas tension loss. Surface dusting should be conducted gently with a soft dry brush, leaving professional cleaning and varnish removal to trained art conservators.
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