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ID #SA1237975
FOR SALE
£280
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19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C
For sale by Salisbury Antiques Centre
for sale €328     $356
£280
Salisbury Antiques Centre

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Sellingantiques Verified Since Nov 2007
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19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C

19th century
Description

A fine 19th century watercolour depicting the seafront and harbour at Palermo, Sicily, signed “Mac C” lower left.

The atmospheric view looks across the sweeping Palermo coastline towards Monte Pellegrino, with sailing vessels lying within the harbour and the breakwater extending out into the Mediterranean. Figures, horse-drawn vehicles and buildings animate the waterfront in the foreground, while breaking waves and a dramatic cloud-filled sky give the composition considerable movement.

The watercolour is particularly appealing for its delicate handling of light and colour, with soft Mediterranean blues contrasting with the sunlit Sicilian landscape.

Presented within a broad gilt mount and an attractive carved giltwood frame decorated with trailing flowers and foliage.

The reverse retains an old trade label for C. M. May, Gilder & Picture Frame Manufacturer, 19 St Ann's Court, Soho, stating that the firm undertook the cleaning, lining and restoration of pictures.

A charming and highly decorative 19th century Grand Tour view of Palermo.

Signed lower left: “Mac C”.

Circa 1870–1890.

Image Size 13x3.5 cm

Physical Dimensions
Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
48cm (18.90")
Declaration

Salisbury Antiques Centre has dated this Sicilian Harbour Watercolour Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1237975
Dealers Internal Reference
C3093
Dealers Notes

Please contact us for delivery options

Description
A fine 19th century watercolour depicting the seafront and harbour at Palermo, Sicily, signed “Mac C” lower left.
“
The atmospheric view looks across the sweeping Palermo coastline towards Monte Pellegrino, with sailing vessels lying within the harbour and the breakwater extending out into the Mediterranean.
Salisbury Antiques Centre

Figures, horse-drawn vehicles and buildings animate the waterfront in the foreground, while breaking waves and a dramatic cloud-filled sky give the composition considerable movement.

fig 1. A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.
fig 1. 19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C

The watercolour is particularly appealing for its delicate handling of light and colour, with soft Mediterranean blues contrasting with the sunlit Sicilian landscape.

Presented within a broad gilt mount and an attractive carved giltwood frame decorated with trailing flowers and foliage.

fig 2. A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.
fig 2. 19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C

The reverse retains an old trade label for C. M. May, Gilder & Picture Frame Manufacturer, 19 St Ann's Court, Soho, stating that the firm undertook the cleaning, lining and restoration of pictures.

A charming and highly decorative 19th century Grand Tour view of Palermo.

Signed lower left: “Mac C”.

Circa 1870–1890.

Image Size 13x3.5 cm

Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
48cm (18.90")
Date of Manufacture

Salisbury Antiques Centre has dated this Sicilian Harbour Watercolour Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1237975
Dealers Internal Ref
C3093
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 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.
1 / 6
Archive I A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.

19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C

Archive II A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak. View II
Archive III A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Salisbury Antiques Centre

Salisbury Antiques Centre
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 405
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
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sac
Verified
Nov 2007
For Sale
405
Sold
4,524
A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.
19th Century Watercolour of Palermo Harbour, Sicily, Signed Mac C
Ref: SA1237975
A 19th-century framed watercolour painting depicting Palermo harbour in Sicily with waves breaking against a breakwater beneath a mountain peak.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialPaper, Paint, Gilded Wood, Glass
  • ColourGold and Blue
  • MotifsBreakwater and mole, Maritime harbour scene, Mountain backdrop, Carved floral gilt frame
  • SizeH 36 cm (14 in) x W 48 cm (19 in)

This Victorian watercolour painting depicts the seafront and harbour at Palermo, Sicily, signed lower left by Mac C. The artwork presents an atmospheric coastal view with a sweeping breakwater, sailing vessels, distant mountains, and foreground figures beneath a cloud-filled sky in shades of soft blue. Paper, paint, gilded wood, and glass form the composition, housed within a broad gilt mount and a carved giltwood frame decorated with trailing flowers, foliage, and linear mouldings. The physical dimensions measure 36 cm high by 48 cm wide. Placement suits traditional interiors, positioning the piece above a sideboard or console table in a living room, hallway, or study. The carved floral motifs and warm metallic finish complement period decor and English Country House aesthetics. Hanging hardware on the reverse allows for wall mounting in domestic settings.

FAQs

During the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy travellers undertaking the Grand Tour acquired watercolours of Mediterranean landmarks and coastal ports, such as Naples and Palermo, to serve as visual records and decorative mementos of their travels.

19th-century watercolours were executed using water-soluble pigments on heavy cotton or linen rag paper. They were commonly presented behind glass within carved timber frames finished with gold leaf gilding and paper mount boards.

Authentic period watercolours usually exhibit subtle age toning to the rag paper, hand-applied brushwork with natural pigment variations, contemporary artist signatures, and original gilded timber frames showing backboard oxidation.

A classic framed seascape works well hung above a sideboard, mantelpiece, or console table, where the gilded frame adds warmth and contrast against modern or traditional painted walls.

Watercolours should be displayed away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent pigment fading and foxing. Framing should utilise UV-protective glass and acid-free mounting materials to preserve the paper substrate.
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