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ID #SA1232173
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£4,950
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Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €5,792     $6,287
£4,950
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

1920 - 1940
Description

Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) by Herskind – Framed Statement Piece

An exceptional and rare large-format original pastel drawing executed in September 1931 by the artist Herskind.

This striking piece captures a uniquely charismatic and informal depiction of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII / "David") in his Royal Navy uniform. Rendered with brilliant draughtsmanship, the portrait presents the future king with a cheeky, confident grin, a cigarette clamped jauntily in his teeth, and wisps of smoke curling delicately upward against a dark textured ground.

Technique, Palette & Lifelikeness:

Drawn on a deep brown-grey art paper, the artist utilizes a brilliant contrast of rich charcoals and vivid pastels. The chalk handling is exceptionally skilled—particularly in the bright whites of the crisp collar, the stark glare on the naval cap visor, and the gleaming highlights of the teeth and eyes. It is an extraordinary visual translation of the iconic W&K London photographic postcard of the era, capturing an uncanny likeness while injecting a tangible, tactile warmth and artistic life that mechanical reproduction simply cannot match.

Condition & Framing:

Presented in immaculate, display-ready condition, the artwork has been housed in a sleek modern frame that complements its rich tones and generous proportions. Measuring an impressive 85cm x 65cm framed, it possesses a commanding gallery presence, making it an absolute anchor piece for a room.

Artist & Provenance:

Clearly hand-signed and dated "Herskind / Sept. 1931" on the lower right, this one-off interwar tribute piece stands as a wonderful piece of royal ephemera and a witty, irreverent deviation from formal, stiff court portraiture.

A fantastic conversation piece for collectors of British royalty, interwar culture, and striking statement art.

Provenance: From a Private UK Collection, Acquired ("By Repute") as a presentation piece/gift linked to Edward Prince of Wales circa 1931 (Unverified).

Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David

Collector's Note on Rarity:

Surviving large-format, hand-rendered studio pastels of this era are exceptionally scarce. While official oils and mass-market photographic prints of the Prince of Wales populate institutional collections, independent, one-off studio tributes by artists like Herskind rarely emerge on the market—making this a singular survival of interwar visual culture.

Physical Dimensions
Height
85cm (33.46")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Framed Royal Pastel Portrait to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232173
Description
Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) by Herskind – Framed Statement Piece
“
An exceptional and rare large-format original pastel drawing executed in September 1931 by the artist Herskind.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 1. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 1. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

This striking piece captures a uniquely charismatic and informal depiction of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII / "David") in his Royal Navy uniform. Rendered with brilliant draughtsmanship, the portrait presents the future king with a cheeky, confident grin, a cigarette clamped jauntily in his teeth, and wisps of smoke curling delicately upward against a dark textured ground.

fig 2. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 2. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

Technique, Palette & Lifelikeness:

Drawn on a deep brown-grey art paper, the artist utilizes a brilliant contrast of rich charcoals and vivid pastels. The chalk handling is exceptionally skilled—particularly in the bright whites of the crisp collar, the stark glare on the naval cap visor, and the gleaming highlights of the teeth and eyes. It is an extraordinary visual translation of the iconic W&K London photographic postcard of the era, capturing an uncanny likeness while injecting a tangible, tactile warmth and artistic life that mechanical reproduction simply cannot match.

fig 3. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 3. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

Condition & Framing:

Presented in immaculate, display-ready condition, the artwork has been housed in a sleek modern frame that complements its rich tones and generous proportions. Measuring an impressive 85cm x 65cm framed, it possesses a commanding gallery presence, making it an absolute anchor piece for a room.

fig 4. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 4. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

Artist & Provenance:

Clearly hand-signed and dated "Herskind / Sept. 1931" on the lower right, this one-off interwar tribute piece stands as a wonderful piece of royal ephemera and a witty, irreverent deviation from formal, stiff court portraiture.

fig 5. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 5. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

A fantastic conversation piece for collectors of British royalty, interwar culture, and striking statement art.

Provenance: From a Private UK Collection, Acquired ("By Repute") as a presentation piece/gift linked to Edward Prince of Wales circa 1931 (Unverified).

fig 6. A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
fig 6. Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David

Collector's Note on Rarity:

Surviving large-format, hand-rendered studio pastels of this era are exceptionally scarce. While official oils and mass-market photographic prints of the Prince of Wales populate institutional collections, independent, one-off studio tributes by artists like Herskind rarely emerge on the market—making this a singular survival of interwar visual culture.

Height
85cm (33.46")
Width
65cm (25.59")
Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Framed Royal Pastel Portrait to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232173
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

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

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A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
1 / 13
Archive I A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.

Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.r.h. The Prince of Wales (Edward Viii) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (By Repute) - Framed Statement Piece

Archive II A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View II
Archive III A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View III
Archive IV A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View IV
Archive V A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View V
Archive VI A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View VI
Archive VII A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View VII
Archive VIII A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View VIII
Archive IX A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View IX
Archive X A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View X
Archive XI A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View XI
Archive XII A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View XII
Archive XIII A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 217
Items Sold 88
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
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Sold
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A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
Large Original 1931 Pastel Portrait of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (Edward VIII) by Herskind – Presented to the Prince (by repute) - Framed Statement Piece
Ref: SA1232173
A framed 1931 pastel portrait drawing depicting a smiling man in a naval uniform smoking a cigarette against a dark background within a double mount and dark wood frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
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Detail View 7
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Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleArt Deco
  • MaterialPastel, Paper, Wood, Glass
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsNaval uniform, white peak cap, double mount, wooden frame
  • SizeH 85 cm (33 in) x W 65 cm (26 in)

This original 1930 pastel portrait of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales by Herskind exemplifies Art Deco wall art. Executed on deep brown-grey art paper using pastels and charcoals, the drawing depicts a smiling man in a naval uniform, white peak cap, and tie, smoking a cigarette with wisps of smoke curling upward. The artwork features a double mount and a dark brown wooden frame with grain textures, accompanied by visible hand-written signatures and date markings on the lower right. The piece measures 85 cm high and 65 cm wide. Suitable for a gentleman's library, the portrait functions as a statement piece in a domestic interior. It fits well when hung on a wall above a sideboard or in a study, contributing an interwar aesthetic to the space. The materials comprise paper, pastel, glass, and wood, combined within a modern frame housing.

FAQs

During the 1930s, portraiture frequently combined precise graphic draftsmanship with soft mediums such as pastel or charcoal, capturing both formal attire and relaxed human expressions.

Pastel drawings consist of dry pigment particles applied onto textured paper or board, protected beneath glazing within a mount and wooden frame structure.

Authentic period pieces exhibit natural paper aging, historic framing methods, hand-rendered pigment layering, and contemporaneous signatures or dates.

A framed portrait serves as a strong focal point when displayed above a sideboard, within a gallery wall, or alongside traditional timber furniture and brass lighting.

Pastel works must be kept glazed with an internal mount to prevent contact between the glass and dry pigment, stored away from direct sunlight and high humidity.
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