What characterises Victorian sporting dog oil paintings?

Victorian sporting dog paintings typically depict working canine breeds, such as setters, pointers, and retrievers, set within natural landscape or gamekeeper environments. Popularised during the nineteenth century alongside the rise of field sports, these artworks reflected rural British sporting culture and country pursuits.

What traditional materials were used in nineteenth-century framed oil paintings?

Artists applied oil pigments mixed with drying oils onto stretched linen or cotton canvases. These paintings were encased in carved wood frames finished with gilding composition and gold leaf, often featuring detailed corner ornamentations.

How can you identify authentic Victorian oil paintings from this era?

Authentic period oil paintings exhibit natural craquelure across the paint surface, along with age-consistent darkening of the protective varnish. Inspecting the back of the canvas often reveals hand-cut stretchers, oxidisation on metal tacks, and period gallery or framer labels.

How do you style a Victorian oil painting in a modern interior?

Position the painting centrally above a fireplace mantel or dark wood sideboard to establish a focused focal point in a traditional scheme. Alternatively, contrast the ornate gilded frame against clean minimalist walls to bridge classical texture with modern architecture.

How should an antique oil painting and gilt frame be preserved?

Keep the painting away from direct sunlight, excessive humidity, and heat sources to prevent canvas movement and paint flaking. Dust the gilt frame softly using a dry brush rather than chemical sprays, which can erode fragile gold leaf.

for sale €8,775 $9,525

£7,500

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Robert Cleminson Oil Painting

19th Century Hunting Painting

Vintage Country House Painting

Id #SA956173

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Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

Name: Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA956173
Price: 7500 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

Description

Antique 19th Century Victorian English Oil Painting Sporting "Game Dogs" Signed Robert Cleminson.

Subject Sporting Hunting Scene of Game Dogs with caught game birds prey.

Title of the painting "Game Dogs"

This scene from the English artist Robert Cleminson, features a Scottish Highland landscape with mountains in the background, in the foreground 2 hunting dogs who are the focal point, the white and brown dog is shown in front profile peacefully resting in front. The black dog shown in side profile looking away to the right anticipating sensing owner returning, on right flank are 2 large stone boulders & next them is a large wicker basket which has game prey birds spread out hanging over. With lush green grass in front.

Signed in the bottom left corner by the known famous English listed artist Robert Cleminson (1864-1903).

This is one of his finer works.

Circa 1890 late 19th century.

Oil on canvas laid on board.

Set in such a fine heavy original gilt wood frame 8kg unwrapped weight.

With front protective glass cover, oil on canvas back with board cover.

Cleminson was a painter in oils of landscapes, Highland game and sporting dog paintings and it his animal and dog paintings for which he is best known. He no doubt found a ready market for his paintings which are as popular today as they were during his lifetime. He exhibited 10 works at the British Institution which was established as a rival to the Royal Academy, at Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall, London. He exhibited further works at the Society of British Artists, Suffolk Street, London. Set in a fine original moulded floral gilt frame.

Reference sources: Website of William Shannon Fine Art, June 2019.

Askart, Artnet, Mutualart.

Since 1998 the record price for this artist at auction is $16,470 USD for The tiger hunt, sold at Bonhams Knightsbridge in 2018.

Such a delightful scene to the eye.

Provenance form notable auction house Bamfords labels verso.

Highly sought after due to the collectible nature of the subject matter such elaborate detail.

The brushwork is of highest exceptional quality.

With hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home display.

Incredible conversation piece for your guests.

We only select & sell paintings based upon subject, quality & significance..

We provide our clients with friendly professional customer service.

?? Condition

The painting is offered in overall good used, worn condition, honestly reflecting its age and history. Crucially, the frame is original to the painting, and the presence of a front protective glass cover has helped to shield the canvas and paint surface from further dirt and handling damage over the years.

The frame shows various losses and wear to the gilt finish, including areas of rubbing and loss of gilding on the raised sections. There is cracking and loss to the gesso decoration around the frame, together with visible scuffs, wear and chips, all entirely commensurate with the frame’s age, materials and long life in use.

The canvas displays areas of foxing and staining, which become apparent on closer inspection, and there is some craquelure (fine age-related cracking) in various places across the painted surface. These are normal and often desirable features in a 19th-century oil. To the naked eye, the paint layer appears stable overall, with no obvious large areas of intrusive overpaint or heavy modern restoration visible from a normal viewing distance.

Despite these age-related imperfections, the painting presents very well on the wall, with a rich, authentic antique character. Many collectors actively prefer this honest patina to examples that have been extensively over-restored or stripped of their original frames.

International buyers worldwide shipping is available please ask for a quote.

Viewings are welcome by appointment only for customer support please send a message thankyou.

Checkout our exciting other available listings in our shop gallery, happy shopping.

D

Physical Dimensions

Height

56.5cm (22.24")

Width

66cm (25.98")

Depth

9cm (3.54")

Declaration

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Victorian Sporting Dog Painting to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA956173

Dealers Internal Reference

392

Dealers Notes

Delivery shipping information

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.

We offer Free UK mainland delivery only, international shipping to USA, Canada, Europe. All other countries rest of the world please get in touch for a shipping quote.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art & Antique pieces which we sell.

We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.

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We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).

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We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.

Tel: 07494763382

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Our primary payment method is by (BACS) & International bank wire transfer, we can email you an invoice with our banking details upon request. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.

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Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.

Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.

If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.

Description

Antique 19th Century Victorian English Oil Painting Sporting "Game Dogs" Signed Robert Cleminson.

Subject Sporting Hunting Scene of Game Dogs with caught game birds prey.

Title of the painting "Game Dogs"

fig 1. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 1. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

This scene from the English artist Robert Cleminson, features a Scottish Highland landscape with mountains in the background, in the foreground 2 hunting dogs who are the focal point, the white and brown dog is shown in front profile peacefully resting in front. The black dog shown in side profile looking away to the right anticipating sensing owner returning, on right flank are 2 large stone boulders & next them is a large wicker basket which has game prey birds spread out hanging over. With lush green grass in front.

“

Signed in the bottom left corner by the known famous English listed artist Robert Cleminson (1864-1903).

Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd

fig 2. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 2. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

This is one of his finer works.

Circa 1890 late 19th century.

Oil on canvas laid on board.

Set in such a fine heavy original gilt wood frame 8kg unwrapped weight.

With front protective glass cover, oil on canvas back with board cover.

fig 3. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 3. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

Cleminson was a painter in oils of landscapes, Highland game and sporting dog paintings and it his animal and dog paintings for which he is best known. He no doubt found a ready market for his paintings which are as popular today as they were during his lifetime. He exhibited 10 works at the British Institution which was established as a rival to the Royal Academy, at Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall, London. He exhibited further works at the Society of British Artists, Suffolk Street, London. Set in a fine original moulded floral gilt frame.

fig 4. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 4. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

Reference sources: Website of William Shannon Fine Art, June 2019.

Askart, Artnet, Mutualart.

Since 1998 the record price for this artist at auction is $16,470 USD for The tiger hunt, sold at Bonhams Knightsbridge in 2018.

fig 5. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 5. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

Such a delightful scene to the eye.

Provenance form notable auction house Bamfords labels verso.

Highly sought after due to the collectible nature of the subject matter such elaborate detail.

The brushwork is of highest exceptional quality.

fig 6. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 6. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

With hanging thread on the back ready for immediate home display.

Incredible conversation piece for your guests.

We only select & sell paintings based upon subject, quality & significance..

We provide our clients with friendly professional customer service.

fig 7. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 7. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

?? Condition

The painting is offered in overall good used, worn condition, honestly reflecting its age and history. Crucially, the frame is original to the painting, and the presence of a front protective glass cover has helped to shield the canvas and paint surface from further dirt and handling damage over the years.

fig 8. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 8. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

The frame shows various losses and wear to the gilt finish, including areas of rubbing and loss of gilding on the raised sections. There is cracking and loss to the gesso decoration around the frame, together with visible scuffs, wear and chips, all entirely commensurate with the frame’s age, materials and long life in use.

fig 9. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 9. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

The canvas displays areas of foxing and staining, which become apparent on closer inspection, and there is some craquelure (fine age-related cracking) in various places across the painted surface. These are normal and often desirable features in a 19th-century oil. To the naked eye, the paint layer appears stable overall, with no obvious large areas of intrusive overpaint or heavy modern restoration visible from a normal viewing distance.

fig 10. Victorian oil painting in an ornate gilded frame depicting two hunting dogs resting on a grassy highland hill with game birds. — fig 10. Victorian Oil Painting Hunting Game Dogs by Robert Cleminson

Despite these age-related imperfections, the painting presents very well on the wall, with a rich, authentic antique character. Many collectors actively prefer this honest patina to examples that have been extensively over-restored or stripped of their original frames.