Snaffles Print
A snaffles print captures the humour and grit of British sporting art through the distinct hand of Charles Johnson Payne.
Snaffles Print
A snaffles print brings the spirited world of hunting, military life, and equestrian pursuits straight into a room through the recognisable hand of Charles Johnson Payne. When collectors search for a snaffles print, they seek out these characterful images which span several decades from the early twentieth century onwards.
The pieces on this page appear within original frames of wood or glass, preserving the paper works exactly as they circulated through British country houses and military messes. Subjects range from humorous hunting scenes and regimental life to coastal moments and character portraits.
Most examples you encounter take the form of framed prints, though rarer original watercolours and gouache paintings occasionally surface. These works represent British sporting art at its most personable, recording the humour and camaraderie of the hunting field.
How they were made
Production centres on printed paper bases, frequently enhanced with hand-applied watercolour or gouache by the artist or his studio. These pigments bring vibrancy to the uniforms, horses, and landscapes depicted.
Framing relies upon traditional materials like wood, often oak, paired with protective glass to secure the delicate paper works. The integration of printed lines with wet mediums creates the textured finish characteristic of the better examples.
Snaffles Print Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for snaffles print among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature works executed on paper, watercolour, and gouache, housed within wooden and oak frames behind glass.
What varies in quality
Quality rests heavily upon the vibrancy of the hand-colouring applied over the printed base, as well as the preservation of the paper beneath. Strong, unfaded pigments distinguish the most visually engaging sheets from those dulled by light.
The character of the framing matters considerably, with period wood and clean glass maintaining the integrity of the artwork. Clarity of the signature and the sharpness of the underlying printed image further separate standard plates from exceptional survivals.
Charles Johnson Payne Snaffles
The Snaffles Print Glossary
- Watercolour
- A paint consisting of pigment suspended in a water-based solution, utilised here to add colour by hand.
- Gouache
- An opaque water-based medium containing a white pigment filler, employed to create dense highlights.
- Framed Print
- An impression on paper set behind glass within a protective wooden boundary for display.
- British Sporting Art
- A genre focusing on horses, hounds, hunting, and rural pursuits within Great Britain.
Snaffles Print: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a snaffles print?
A snaffles print is a piece of British sporting art created by the artist Charles Johnson Payne, who signed his work with his hunting nickname. These works capture military life, hunting fields, and rural characters with distinct wit.
They appear primarily as framed prints on paper, often carrying hand-applied watercolour highlights that bring individual character to each plate.
How should I hang a snaffles print?
Protect the paper and any hand-applied watercolour by keeping the frame away from direct sunlight and damp walls. Traditional wooden frames, including oak examples, suit the domestic and country house origins of these artworks.
Ensure the glass is clean and secure to protect the delicate medium from atmospheric dust while maintaining clear visibility of the image.
Are these prints hand coloured?
Many examples combine a printed base with hand-applied watercolour or gouache. This technique allows the publisher to issue consistent outlines while giving individual sheets unique tonal depth.
Examining the surface under a strong light reveals the brushstrokes sitting above the printed lines.
What periods do these prints cover?
The selection spans the early twentieth century, starting around nineteen hundred and extending through the decades up to nineteen fifty. This era encompasses Edwardian sporting life and later twentieth-century commemorative pieces.
Dates often align with the publication of specific hunting sequences and military portfolios.