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ID #SA1239586
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£8,800
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17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.
For sale by Period Portraits
for sale €10,296     $11,176
£8,800
Period Portraits

Period Portraits

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17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

17th century
For Sale by Period Portraits
Description

A historically significant portrait of Cornet Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688) depicted half length wearing a brown jacket and blue sash, brandishing a pistol.

Cornet Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688); per Burke's LGI 'Pennefather of Rathsallagh' (read in print, July 2026): 'the first of this family who settled in Ireland... a Cornet in the Army, SON OF ABRAHAM PENNEFATHER, and younger brother of Abraham Pennefather, of Hanbury-on-the-Hill, co. Stafford. He acquired by patent, 1666, the estates of Clonegoose, Ballylanigan, &c., co. Tipperary' (Landed Estates gives the grant as 1667 - patent/grant dating, both recorded). To Ireland c.1648 with Cromwell's army; Quartermaster, Earl of Mountrath's regiment 1662; lived at Gort McEllis Castle nr Cashel; buried at the Rock of Cashel.

Having arrived from the family’s ancestral seat in Staffordshire, the Pennefather family settled in County Tipperary, Ireland, circa 1648. He is recorded by 1662 as holding the rank of Quartermaster in the regiment of the Earl of Mountrath, with postings at Birr (1664). In 1666 he acquired by patent, the estates of Clonegoose, Ballylanigan, &c., co. Tipperary. Oliver Cromwell’s ‘settlement’ of Ireland, whereby most of the land was confiscated from Catholics and redistributed to English Protestants. After postings in Athy (c.1668) he had retired from military service by 1685.

Following his marriage to Levina Kingsmill, the couple resided at Gort McEllis Castle, near Cashel, before succeeding to the Ballyowen estate upon the death of Levina’s father, subsequently renamed New Park. Both Matthew Pennefather and his wife are interred at the Rock of Cashel. For several generations the Pennefathers represented Cashel as Members of Parliament.

The surname Pennefather (historically spelled with variants like Pennyfather or Pennyfeather) stems from the Old English nickname for a miser or an incredibly frugal person ("penny-father").

This work is in a fine state of preservation and is housed in its original hand carved and gilded ‘Lely’ style frame which is itself a work of art.

Provenance: Pennefather family, New Park, Co Tipperary, thence by descent.

Canvas: 70cm x 65cm. Framed: 86cm x 74cm.

Price: £8800

Physical Dimensions
Height
86cm (33.86")
Width
74cm (29.13")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Declaration

Period Portraits has dated this 17th Century Portrait Painting to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239586
Description
A historically significant portrait of Cornet Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688) depicted half length wearing a brown jacket and blue sash, brandishing a pistol.
“
Cornet Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688); per Burke's LGI 'Pennefather of Rathsallagh' (read in print, July 2026): 'the first of this family who settled in Ireland.
Period Portraits

.. a Cornet in the Army, SON OF ABRAHAM PENNEFATHER, and younger brother of Abraham Pennefather, of Hanbury-on-the-Hill, co. Stafford. He acquired by patent, 1666, the estates of Clonegoose, Ballylanigan, &c., co. Tipperary' (Landed Estates gives the grant as 1667 - patent/grant dating, both recorded). To Ireland c.1648 with Cromwell's army; Quartermaster, Earl of Mountrath's regiment 1662; lived at Gort McEllis Castle nr Cashel; buried at the Rock of Cashel.

fig 1. A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
fig 1. 17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

Having arrived from the family’s ancestral seat in Staffordshire, the Pennefather family settled in County Tipperary, Ireland, circa 1648. He is recorded by 1662 as holding the rank of Quartermaster in the regiment of the Earl of Mountrath, with postings at Birr (1664). In 1666 he acquired by patent, the estates of Clonegoose, Ballylanigan, &c., co. Tipperary. Oliver Cromwell’s ‘settlement’ of Ireland, whereby most of the land was confiscated from Catholics and redistributed to English Protestants. After postings in Athy (c.1668) he had retired from military service by 1685.

fig 2. A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
fig 2. 17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

Following his marriage to Levina Kingsmill, the couple resided at Gort McEllis Castle, near Cashel, before succeeding to the Ballyowen estate upon the death of Levina’s father, subsequently renamed New Park. Both Matthew Pennefather and his wife are interred at the Rock of Cashel. For several generations the Pennefathers represented Cashel as Members of Parliament.

fig 3. A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
fig 3. 17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

The surname Pennefather (historically spelled with variants like Pennyfather or Pennyfeather) stems from the Old English nickname for a miser or an incredibly frugal person ("penny-father").

This work is in a fine state of preservation and is housed in its original hand carved and gilded ‘Lely’ style frame which is itself a work of art.

fig 4. A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
fig 4. 17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

Provenance: Pennefather family, New Park, Co Tipperary, thence by descent.

Canvas: 70cm x 65cm. Framed: 86cm x 74cm.

Price: £8800

Height
86cm (33.86")
Width
74cm (29.13")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Date of Manufacture

Period Portraits has dated this 17th Century Portrait Painting to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239586
Period Portraits
Period Portraits
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2017

Specialist dealer in portraits from the 17th century to the 20th century. Our stock includes quality oil paintings, drawings, and mezzotints

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Period Portraits Profile Page

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A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
1 / 7
Archive I A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.

17th Century Irish School - Portrait of Matthew Pennefather (1618-1688), Brandishing a Pistol.

Archive II A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View II
Archive III A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View III
Archive IV A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View IV
Archive V A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View V
Archive VI A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View VI
Archive VII A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame. View VII
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Period Portraits

Period Portraits
Telephone 07889 859729
Location
North Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/periodportraits
Verified Since Jan 2017
Items For Sale 44
Items Sold 63
Period Portraits
Period Portraits
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A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
17TH CENTURY IRISH SCHOOL - PORTRAIT OF MATTHEW PENNEFATHER (1618-1688), BRANDISHING A PISTOL.
Ref: SA1239586
A half-length 17th-century portrait painting of a gentleman holding a pistol, wearing a blue sash, framed in a carved giltwood frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Detail View 4
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectOil Paintings
  • Period17th century
  • StyleBaroque
  • MaterialOil on Canvas, Giltwood
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsGiltwood carved frame, Blue sash, White collar, Flintlock pistol
  • SizeH 86 cm (34 in) x W 74 cm (29 in) x D 4 cm (2 in)

This 17th century Irish School oil painting on canvas depicts a half-length portrait of Cornet Matthew Pennefather in a Baroque style. The subject wears a brown jacket, a white collar with tassels, and a vibrant blue sash across his chest, holding a flintlock pistol in his hand. The work is housed in an original hand-carved and gilded Lely-style wooden frame featuring ornate floral and leaf scrollwork decorations along the mouldings. The overall framed dimensions measure 86 cm high, 74 cm wide, and 4 cm deep. Suitable for a gentleman's library or study, the portrait hangs traditionally above the mantelpiece as a focal point in a reception room or hallway. The rich warm brown tones of the background and attire complement traditional interior schemes, while the heavy gilded framing provides a strong visual presence against wall surfaces.

FAQs

Portraiture of the 17th century in the British Isles was heavily influenced by Continental Baroque artists, focusing on formal poses, detailed costume elements, symbolic props, and dramatic chiaroscuro lighting.

These artworks were generally executed in oil paint on hand-woven linen or canvas stretched over wooden strainers, often presented in hand-carved, gilded wood frames.

Authentic pieces typically exhibit natural craquelure across the paint surface, historic canvas lining or original stretcher marks, age-related frame wear, and characteristic glazing techniques of the period.

Antique portraits serve as strong focal points when placed above a fireplace mantelpiece, integrated into an eclectic gallery wall, or contrasted against minimalist decor in a library or dining room.

Keep the painting in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, avoid extreme humidity fluctuations, and clean gentle surface dust only with a soft brush, leaving restoration to professional conservators.
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