Skip to product information
1 of 11

Antique English Portrait Oil Painting of Samuel Bradbury of Market Drayton

Antique English Portrait Oil Painting of Samuel Bradbury of Market Drayton

Regular price $1,400.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $1,400.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Duties included.
By placing your order you agree to purchase from Global-e as the merchant of record, subject to Global-e’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and share your information with Austyn Marie Design.

A mid-19th century English portrait of Samuel Bradbury, 1789 to 1854, painted in oil on canvas during the sitter's later years. The Bradburys came from Market Drayton in Shropshire, and the verso carries a hand-drawn family chart that traces seven generations of descent from Samuel's grandfather William, born 1722 in Market Drayton, down to descendants born in the 1980s and 1990s. Samuel holds a single yellow pansy in his right hand, a Victorian symbol of thought and remembrance, and a small classical figure in red drapery stands at lower right. The picture has descended through the Bradbury family. Unsigned, in a period gilt molding frame.

Details
Sitter
Samuel Bradbury, 1789 to 1854
Artist
English School, mid-19th century, unsigned
Medium
Oil on canvas, lined
Subject
Half-length portrait of a gentleman holding a yellow pansy, with a classical figure at lower right
Origin
England, Bradbury family of Market Drayton, Shropshire
Age
Circa 1845 to 1854
Size
19.5" W x 23.5" H x 1" D
Style
English provincial portraiture, late Regency into early Victorian
Frame
Period gilt molding with gesso ground, honest wear to gilding
Signature
Unsigned
Provenance
Descended through the Bradbury family of Market Drayton, Shropshire. Hand-drawn family chart affixed to verso documents seven generations of descent from William Bradbury of Market Drayton, 1722 to 1779, through to descendants born in the 1980s and 1990s. The sitter is identified on the chart as Samuel Bradbury, 1789 to 13 September 1854, son of George Bradbury, 1771 to 1852, and husband of Mary Ann Garmeston. An additional inscribed paper label on verso reads Samuel Bradbury 1789-1854.
Iconography
Yellow pansy held in the right hand, from the French pensée, meaning thought or remembrance. Small classical figure in red drapery at lower right.
Condition

The painting is in fair to good antique condition with significant age-related wear. The original canvas was lined at some point in the 20th century, and the lining adhesive has begun to fail across the lower third, creating a visible horizontal band of bubbling and slackness through the lap area and around the classical figure at lower right. A vertical crease distortion runs down the right side. The lining remains intact and a conservator could re-adhere or re-line the canvas if a future owner wishes.

The paint surface shows abrasion throughout the dark passages, with canvas weave visible where the paint film has thinned, and craquelure consistent with mid-19th century oil on canvas. A small area of disturbance in the background to the left of the shoulder appears to be old retouching or minor paint loss. The varnish is darkened and would benefit from a professional cleaning. The flesh tones in the face and hands remain well preserved with modeling intact. The yellow pansy and the classical figure at lower right are both legible.

The period gilt molding frame shows honest rubbing across all four sides with exposed gesso and red bole at the corners and inner edge, structurally sound. The verso retains the inscribed paper label and the hand-drawn family genealogical chart. Offered as found, with condition issues disclosed honestly and reflected in the price.

Shipping & Returns

All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.

All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.

If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.

Read the full return and shipping policy

Important Info About Antique & Vintage

Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.

Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.

We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.

Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.

View full details