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ID #SA1213632
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Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781
Salisbury Antiques Centre
for sale €491     $533
£420
Salisbury Antiques Centre

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2007
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Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

18th century
Description

A striking historical engraving after John Singleton Copley’s celebrated painting The Death of Major Pierson, depicting the dramatic defeat of French forces at the Battle of Jersey on 6th January 1781. This powerful composition captures the moment Major Francis Pierson falls, surrounded by British troops rallying amidst the chaos of battle, with the Union flag billowing above the scene.

The engraving is attributed to James Heath (1757–1834), one of the foremost British engravers of the late 18th century, and was originally published by John Boydell in 1796. Renowned for his exceptional skill in translating major works of art into detailed prints, Heath’s engraving conveys the intensity and movement of Copley’s original with remarkable precision.

Rich in narrative detail, the scene includes soldiers, civilians, and poignant human moments, from the wounded drummer boy to figures fleeing the conflict, all rendered with fine linework and tonal depth.

Presented in a decorative giltwood frame of later date, which complements the period subject beautifully. The frame shows some age-related wear consistent with use.

A compelling piece of British military and historical interest, ideal for traditional interiors, studies, or collectors of Georgian and Regency-era artwork.

Date: Engraving published 1796

Artist: After John Singleton Copley RA (1738–1815)

Engraver: James Heath (1757–1834)

Condition: Good overall with age-related wear to the frame

A dramatic and evocative work celebrating a defining moment in British history.

Physical Dimensions
Height
52cm (20.47")
Width
77cm (30.31")
Declaration

Salisbury Antiques Centre has dated this Antique Copley Battle Engraving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1213632
Dealers Internal Reference
C2701
Dealers Notes

Please contact us for delivery options

Description
A striking historical engraving after John Singleton Copley’s celebrated painting The Death of Major Pierson, depicting the dramatic defeat of French forces at the Battle of Jersey on 6th January 1781.
This powerful composition captures the moment Major Francis Pierson falls, surrounded by British troops rallying amidst the chaos of battle, with the Union flag billowing above the scene.
Salisbury Antiques Centre
fig 1. A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 1. Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

The engraving is attributed to James Heath (1757–1834), one of the foremost British engravers of the late 18th century, and was originally published by John Boydell in 1796. Renowned for his exceptional skill in translating major works of art into detailed prints, Heath’s engraving conveys the intensity and movement of Copley’s original with remarkable precision.

fig 2. A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 2. Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

Rich in narrative detail, the scene includes soldiers, civilians, and poignant human moments, from the wounded drummer boy to figures fleeing the conflict, all rendered with fine linework and tonal depth.

fig 3. A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 3. Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

Presented in a decorative giltwood frame of later date, which complements the period subject beautifully. The frame shows some age-related wear consistent with use.

A compelling piece of British military and historical interest, ideal for traditional interiors, studies, or collectors of Georgian and Regency-era artwork.

fig 4. A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 4. Fine Engraving After Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

Date: Engraving published 1796

Artist: After John Singleton Copley RA (1738–1815)

Engraver: James Heath (1757–1834)

Condition: Good overall with age-related wear to the frame

A dramatic and evocative work celebrating a defining moment in British history.

Height
52cm (20.47")
Width
77cm (30.31")
Date of Manufacture

Salisbury Antiques Centre has dated this Antique Copley Battle Engraving to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1213632
Dealers Internal Ref
C2701
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2007
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Salisbury Antiques Centre Profile Page

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A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
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Archive I A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.

Fine Engraving after Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781

Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01722 410 634
Location
94 Wilton Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP2 7JJ
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sac
Verified Since Nov 2007
Items For Sale 365
Items Sold 4,524
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Verified Since Nov 2007
View Dealer Info
Location: 94 Wilton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7JJ, United Kingdom
Verified
Nov 2007
For Sale
365
Sold
4,524
A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
Fine Engraving after Copley – The Death of Major Pierson, Jersey 1781
Ref: SA1213632
A large monochrome antique engraving depicting a historic military battle scene, displayed within a beaded giltwood frame.
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
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 historical military engraving is an art print produced by incising a composition onto a copper or steel plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper to depict historical battles, commanders, and wartime events.

Engravings from this era were printed using oil-based inks on handmade cotton rag paper. Prints were frequently framed under glass in carved or gilded softwood mouldings.

Authentic period engravings exhibit a visible indented plate mark surrounding the image, fine hand-engraved hatching lines rather than modern dot-matrix patterns, and characteristic aging features on rag paper such as mild foxing or toning.

A large framed historical print functions effectively as a focal point above a mantelpiece, sideboard, or within a wood-panelled study, pairing well with traditional dark timber furniture and muted paint schemes.

Preserve framed engravings by hanging them away from direct sunlight and heat sources, using UV-filtering glass, and mounting them with acid-free backing boards to prevent paper degradation.
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