Original Snaffles Sporting Artwork
Original snaffles sporting artwork captures the sharp wit and equestrian spirit of twentieth-century hunting and military life.
Original Snaffles Sporting Artwork
Original snaffles sporting artwork encompasses the celebrated military and equestrian scenes created by the artist Charlie Johnson Payne, known as Snaffles. Collectors seek these pieces for their acute observation of horses, hounds, and riders across the British hunting field and colonial outposts. The selection available spans the early decades of the twentieth century, capturing distinct moments in British sporting art.
Most pieces encountered on this page take the form of original prints or watercolour paintings housed in traditional oak frames. Subjects range from humorous hunting mottoes and point-to-point races to detailed military caricatures and character studies. These works reflect the robust charm of Edwardian and interwar sporting culture.
Distinction in Quality
Quality rests upon the strength of the composition and the vibrancy of the medium, whether dealing with a finished watercolour or an hand-coloured print. Pieces that retain their original framing and undisturbed paper surfaces command greater interest among purists. The clarity of the printed line and the preservation of the delicate pigments directly influence the visual impact of the artwork.
Subject matter also plays a role, with characteristic hunting scenes and distinct character portrayals showing varying degrees of artistic execution. Works executed in watercolour offer unique brushwork that distinguishes them from standard printed editions.
Several pieces cheerfully pit carpet beaters against bobbery wallahs in the hunting field.
Snaffles
The Original Snaffles Sporting Artwork Glossary
- Watercolour painting
- A work executed with water-soluble pigments on paper, showing direct brushwork and tonal variation unique to each creation.
- Original print
- An impression pulled from a plate or block created by the artist, distinct from later mechanical reproductions.
- Oak frame
- A heavy wooden housing made from oak, characteristic of traditional British picture framing from the early twentieth century.
- Gilt
- A thin application of gold leaf or gold-coloured pigment used to highlight picture frames or decorative borders.
- Edwardian sporting art
- Visual works depicting rural sports, horse racing, and hunting produced during the reign of Edward VII and the subsequent decades.
Original Snaffles Sporting Artwork: Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these artworks cover?
The pieces span the early decades of the twentieth century, primarily originating from the nineteen-hundreds through to the nineteen-forties. This timeframe captures the height of British sporting art production.
Collector interest centres heavily on works produced during the Edwardian era and the interwar years.
Are these works hand-painted?
The inventory includes both original watercolour paintings and original prints, many of the latter featuring hand-applied colour. Each medium offers a different visual texture.
Watercolours show direct brush application, while prints utilise inked lines enhanced by hand.
How should I frame and display them?
Most pieces arrive in their period oak frames, which suit the traditional aesthetic of the artwork. Placing them away from direct sunlight preserves the paper and pigments.
Matching the wooden tones to your interior space maintains the character of these country house pieces.
What subjects do the pieces feature?
Subjects focus on equestrian pursuits, fox hunting, point-to-point races, and military life in British colonial outposts. Titles often include witty captions reflecting field sports.
Character studies of horses, hounds, and notable local figures appear frequently across the collection.