What is the history of mid-century British equestrian art?

Mid-century British equestrian art evolved from traditional 18th and 19th-century sporting portraiture, blending anatomical accuracy with expressive brushwork and modern colour palettes typical of the mid-20th century.

What traditional materials were used in mid-century oil paintings?

These artworks typically utilised oil-based pigments applied to stretched linen, cotton canvas, or wooden board, often housed within moulded timber or gilded pine frames.

How do you identify authentic oil paintings from this era?

Authentic pieces generally display period-appropriate canvas weave, artist signatures or gallery labels on the reverse, surface craquelure, and natural oxidation on wooden stretchers or frames.

How can equestrian artwork be styled in modern interiors?

Position the piece above a sideboard or mantelpiece alongside modern ceramic vases, dark timber furniture, or architectural brass lighting to create visual contrast between traditional subject matter and modern elements.

How should mid-century oil paintings be cleaned and maintained?

Dust gently using a soft dry camel-hair brush, avoid direct exposure to sunlight or radiators, and consult a professional conservator for varnish removal or structural canvas repairs.

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Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Name: Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1237797
Price: 4000 GBP
Availability: InStock

1940 - 1960

For Sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Description

Attributed Lionel Ellis British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting c.1950-60

A characterful mid-20th-century British equestrian oil painting attributed to Lionel Ellis (1903-1988), depicting a mature chestnut or reddish-bay hunter-type horse standing before a traditional timber stable.

Highlights

- Attributed to Lionel Ellis (1903-1988)

- British, circa 1950-1960

- Oil on canvas

- Chestnut or reddish-bay hunter-type horse

- Rustic timber stable setting

- Modern British characteristics

- Historic inscription verso naming Lionel Ellis

- Reportedly purchased directly from the artist in 1974

- Cooper and Cowill provenance recorded verso

- Adam Partridge Auctioneers and Valuers, 2026, Lot 329

- Privately loaned and exhibited with The Famous Lord Hill Museum, 2026

- Gilt frame

Catalogue Note

The horse stands almost entirely in profile against weathered timber stable doors. Its warm chestnut colouring contrasts with the subdued browns, ochres and greys of the surrounding architecture.

The simplified stable forms, restrained palette and economical handling give the work a distinctly twentieth-century character while retaining its connection with the traditional British equestrian and sporting art tradition.

The animal appears to be a mature hunter-type riding horse. Its exact breed, sex and individual identity have not presently been established. The location of the stable is also unknown.

A date of circa 1950-1960 is proposed on stylistic and comparative grounds.

About the Artist

Lionel Ellis (1903-1988) was a British painter, printmaker and teacher born in Plymouth. He studied at Plymouth School of Art and the Royal College of Art, with further artistic study in Paris and Italy.

Ellis later taught painting at Wimbledon School of Art from 1937 until 1968. His work included portraits, landscapes, flowers, figures and equestrian subjects.

Verso Inscription

The historic stretcher inscription reads:

THE HORSE

BY LIONEL ELLIS

PURCHASED FROM

THE ARTIST BY V. H. COOPER 1974

A further inscription records:

PURCHASED BY D. COWILL 30/5/2012

FROM MRS P. M. COOPER

A family dedication also records presentation to Steven on his 52nd birthday, 19 June 2012, from his parents.

These inscriptions provide valuable traditional provenance. No separate receipt or correspondence confirming the reported 1974 transaction has presently been identified. The painting is therefore conservatively catalogued as Attributed to Lionel Ellis.

Provenance

V. H. Cooper, reportedly purchased directly from Lionel Ellis in 1974 according to inscription.

Mrs P. M. Cooper.

D. Cowill, purchased from Mrs P. M. Cooper, 30 May 2012.

Presented to Steven by his parents, 19 June 2012.

Private collection, UK.

Adam Partridge Auctioneers and Valuers, Devon, 21 September 2026, Lot 329.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, 2026.

Exhibition History

Privately loaned and exhibited with The Famous Lord Hill Museum, late September to 1 October 2026.

Dimensions

Framed: 64.5 x 54 x 4.7 cm.

Approximately 25.4 x 21.3 x 1.85 inches.

Canvas: 51 x 41 cm.

Approximately 20.1 x 16.1 inches.

Condition Report

Presentable vintage condition commensurate with age. Age-related craquelure and surface wear are present, together with minor paint loss and visible stretcher-bar lines or impressions.

The reverse retains the aged canvas, wooden stretcher and important historic inscriptions. The gilt frame has rubbing, marks and age-related wear and is not represented as original. Please study all photographs as part of the condition description.

Worldwide Shipping

Professional worldwide insured shipping is available. The painting will be carefully packaged using appropriate fine art protective materials.

Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution

Supplied with a Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, recording the catalogue details, attribution, stated provenance, exhibition history and sale.

Date of Manufacture

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Equestrian Horse Oil Painting to the 1950s.

Independent Date Guide ID 09664579

Dealer's Item Date1950s

Sellingantiques Date1950s

Sellingantiques agingItem 50-90 years old

ResultsDates match

Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1950s:

Handwritten artist attribution and provenance on the stretcher: records early private ownership.

Uniform darkening across the canvas reverse: steady ageing from long exposure.

Fine network of surface craquelure: natural hardening of the oil paint.

Softwood keyed stretcher secured with iron tacks: traditional canvas preparation.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions

Height

54cm (21.26")

Width

64.5cm (25.39")

Depth

4.7cm (1.85")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1237797

Dealers Internal Reference

CAK-SK-5016

Dealers Notes

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Nothing in this information excludes or restricts statutory consumer rights.

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Registered in England & Wales

Company No. 15666518

VAT No. GB 466128775

Description

Attributed Lionel Ellis British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting c.1950-60

A characterful mid-20th-century British equestrian oil painting attributed to Lionel Ellis (1903-1988), depicting a mature chestnut or reddish-bay hunter-type horse standing before a traditional timber stable.

fig 1. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Highlights

Attributed to Lionel Ellis (1903-1988)

British, circa 1950-1960

Oil on canvas

Chestnut or reddish-bay hunter-type horse

Rustic timber stable setting

Modern British characteristics

Historic inscription verso naming Lionel Ellis

fig 2. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Reportedly purchased directly from the artist in 1974

Cooper and Cowill provenance recorded verso

Adam Partridge Auctioneers and Valuers, 2026, Lot 329

Privately loaned and exhibited with The Famous Lord Hill Museum, 2026

fig 3. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Gilt frame

Catalogue Note

The horse stands almost entirely in profile against weathered timber stable doors.

“

Its warm chestnut colouring contrasts with the subdued browns, ochres and greys of the surrounding architecture.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

fig 4. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

The simplified stable forms, restrained palette and economical handling give the work a distinctly twentieth-century character while retaining its connection with the traditional British equestrian and sporting art tradition.

fig 5. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

The animal appears to be a mature hunter-type riding horse. Its exact breed, sex and individual identity have not presently been established. The location of the stable is also unknown.

A date of circa 1950-1960 is proposed on stylistic and comparative grounds.

fig 6. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

About the Artist

Lionel Ellis (1903-1988) was a British painter, printmaker and teacher born in Plymouth. He studied at Plymouth School of Art and the Royal College of Art, with further artistic study in Paris and Italy.

fig 7. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Ellis later taught painting at Wimbledon School of Art from 1937 until 1968. His work included portraits, landscapes, flowers, figures and equestrian subjects.

Verso Inscription

The historic stretcher inscription reads:

fig 8. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

THE HORSE

BY LIONEL ELLIS

PURCHASED FROM

THE ARTIST BY V. H. COOPER 1974

A further inscription records:

PURCHASED BY D. COWILL 30/5/2012

FROM MRS P. M. COOPER

A family dedication also records presentation to Steven on his 52nd birthday, 19 June 2012, from his parents.

fig 9. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

These inscriptions provide valuable traditional provenance. No separate receipt or correspondence confirming the reported 1974 transaction has presently been identified. The painting is therefore conservatively catalogued as Attributed to Lionel Ellis.

fig 10. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Provenance

V. H. Cooper, reportedly purchased directly from Lionel Ellis in 1974 according to inscription.

Mrs P. M. Cooper.

D. Cowill, purchased from Mrs P. M. Cooper, 30 May 2012.

Presented to Steven by his parents, 19 June 2012.

fig 11. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Private collection, UK.

Adam Partridge Auctioneers and Valuers, Devon, 21 September 2026, Lot 329.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, 2026.

Exhibition History

Privately loaned and exhibited with The Famous Lord Hill Museum, late September to 1 October 2026.

fig 12. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Dimensions

Framed: 64.5 x 54 x 4.7 cm.

Approximately 25.4 x 21.3 x 1.85 inches.

Canvas: 51 x 41 cm.

Approximately 20.1 x 16.1 inches.

Condition Report

Presentable vintage condition commensurate with age. Age-related craquelure and surface wear are present, together with minor paint loss and visible stretcher-bar lines or impressions.

fig 13. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

The reverse retains the aged canvas, wooden stretcher and important historic inscriptions. The gilt frame has rubbing, marks and age-related wear and is not represented as original. Please study all photographs as part of the condition description.

fig 14. Lionel Ellis Mid Century British Equestrian Horse Oil Painting

Worldwide Shipping

Professional worldwide insured shipping is available. The painting will be carefully packaged using appropriate fine art protective materials.

Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution

Supplied with a Certificate of Sale and Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, recording the catalogue details, attribution, stated provenance, exhibition history and sale.