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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1219019
FOR SALE
£1,750
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Portrait of a Gentleman Holding a Skull, C.1720
Harrington Antiques
for sale €2,048     $2,223
£1,750
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2021
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Portrait of a Gentleman Holding a Skull, C.1720

18th century
Description

An early 18th century portrait of a gentleman, possibly an actor, within a painted oval resting his hand on a skull upon his lap, c.1720.

Well executed and of good proportions. Unframed with some light scuffs in areas but generally presents very well indeed. Relined.

An intriguing portrait.

Provenance: Private collection of the late Howard Godfrey (1938-2019), fine art dealer of over 30 years.

Dimensions:-

Height: 77cm

Width: 63.5cm

Depth: 2cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Physical Dimensions
Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
63.5cm (25.00")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Declaration

Harrington Antiques has dated this 18th Century Memento Mori Portrait to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1219019
Dealers Internal Reference
8000
Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

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We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description
An early 18th century portrait of a gentleman, possibly an actor, within a painted oval resting his hand on a skull upon his lap, c.1720.

Well executed and of good proportions. Unframed with some light scuffs in areas but generally presents very well indeed. Relined.

fig 1. An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull.
fig 1. Portrait of a Gentleman Holding a Skull, C.1720

An intriguing portrait.

“
Provenance: Private collection of the late Howard Godfrey (1938-2019), fine art dealer of over 30 years.
Harrington Antiques

Dimensions:-

Height: 77cm

Width: 63.5cm

Depth: 2cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Height
77cm (30.31")
Width
63.5cm (25.00")
Depth
2cm (0.79")
Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this 18th Century Memento Mori Portrait to the 1700s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1219019
Dealers Internal Ref
8000
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2021

Antiques & decorative interior pieces.

Dealer Profile

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

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull.
1 / 4
Archive I An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull.

Portrait of a Gentleman Holding a Skull, C.1720

Archive II An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull. View II
Archive III An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull. View IV
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Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques
Telephone 07552 767190
Location
Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 80
Items Sold 813
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
80
Sold
813
An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull.
Portrait Of A Gentleman Holding A Skull, c.1720
Ref: SA1219019
An 18th-century oil painting depicting a gentleman with a white powdered wig wearing a brown coat and resting his hand upon a human skull.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A memento mori portrait incorporates symbolic elements, most notably a human skull, to remind the viewer of mortality and the impermanence of earthly life. Popularised during the 17th and 18th centuries, these paintings encouraged moral reflection alongside traditional portraiture.

Artists during this era applied hand-ground oil pigments onto hand-woven linen or hemp canvases stretched across wooden frames. Layers of natural resin varnish were typically applied to seal and protect the paint surface.

Authentic paintings from this period display age-appropriate craquelure across the paint film, evidence of hand-hewn stretchers or hand-forged nails, and historic oxidisation on the reverse of the canvas.

An 18th-century portrait makes a strong focal point above a fireplace or console table, particularly in traditional, dark academia, or eclectic interiors. Pairing period portraiture with contemporary lighting or minimalist surroundings creates a balanced aesthetic contrast.

Keep the painting in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, excess moisture, and direct heat sources. Dust the surface lightly with a dry soft brush, and consult a qualified conservator for cleaning or varnish removal.
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