Oil painting sword

JeffS · 25th July 2021, 03:09 AM

We found this oil painting in my sister's basement. I'm curious if the attire and weapons are indicative of a specific period and location.

M ELEY · 25th July 2021, 03:54 AM

No expert here, but some thoughts. Based on the style of the basket and what little we can see of the pistol, the period represented would be perhaps 1700-1800. The all-steel pistol is local/Scottish type, while the thin bars on the basket hilt indicate it's of the Stirling school. The lack of any red lines in his tartan (aside from the blanket) indicates he was a 'low-lander' vs Highlands, possibly of aristocratic background (most 'common' men didn't have a sporran, nor the gold hat badge!) The Lowland Scots were often affiliated with nobility and land ownership. They sided with the Hanoveran King George as opposed to their Highland brethren, who supported the Bonnie Prince (Jacobites). Very beautifully done, but not sure the painting itself is particularly old.

NeilUK · 25th July 2021, 02:31 PM

I'm no expert either, but reckon the portrait was painted mid-19th century with the customer dressed up in the fashion promoted by George IV's visit to Scotland and fomented by Sir Walter Scott's enthusiasm. Over elaborate but it was meant to look impressive.
Neil

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2021, 09:29 PM

Very much in agreement with these comments. As Mark observes most likely a lowland noble represented in 18th century fashion. With the element of a degree of artistic 'license' (or lack of distinct detail) the weapons do resemble the Highland type silver pistol and the Stirling type hilt basket hilt sword.

As Neil has mentioned, when George IV visited Edinburgh in 1822, he rekindled interest in Highland dress, tartans. This became a sort of fad which was indeed helped along by the romantic writings of Sir Walter Scott.
In the late 1830s however, the so called 'Sobieski' brothers (their last name was Allan) created a monumentally fabricated ancestral scheme claiming they were legitimate heirs to the Stuart throne. This further fueled the Scottish Jacobite enthusiasm and fascination with Scottish fashion and ancestral lore.

While there had been actual preferences for certain 'tartan' patterns among certain clans (mostly based on preferences as well as dyes from locally prevalent vegetation), after Culloden in 1746, not only weapons, but wearing of tartans was outlawed.
Most records of the actual clan tartans that were used were lost, but in 1822 the interest reformed and the Sobieski matter recharged things into the development of presumed tartan patterns in the Victorian era.

That is likely the climate in which this painting was probably produced, as suggested by Neil. A very handsome painting reflecting the colorful history of Scotland, if original oil, probably mid to latter 19th century.

M ELEY · 25th July 2021, 10:51 PM

And a beautiful pre-1900 frame to boot! You've got a great painting there!

JeffS · 25th July 2021, 11:52 PM

It is great (and fascinating) to put it into context. Thank you!

JeffS · 26th July 2021, 12:33 AM

Double post

25th July 2021, 03:09 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 343	Oil painting sword We found this oil painting in my sister's basement. I'm curious if the attire and weapons are indicative of a specific period and location. Attached Images

26th July 2021, 12:33 AM	#7
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 343	Double post Last edited by JeffS; 26th July 2021 at 12:33 AM. Reason: Double

25th July 2021, 03:54 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	No expert here, but some thoughts. Based on the style of the basket and what little we can see of the pistol, the period represented would be perhaps 1700-1800. The all-steel pistol is local/Scottish type, while the thin bars on the basket hilt indicate it's of the Stirling school. The lack of any red lines in his tartan (aside from the blanket) indicates he was a 'low-lander' vs Highlands, possibly of aristocratic background (most 'common' men didn't have a sporran, nor the gold hat badge!) The Lowland Scots were often affiliated with nobility and land ownership. They sided with the Hanoveran King George as opposed to their Highland brethren, who supported the Bonnie Prince (Jacobites). Very beautifully done, but not sure the painting itself is particularly old.

25th July 2021, 02:31 PM	#3
NeilUK Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 125	I'm no expert either, but reckon the portrait was painted mid-19th century with the customer dressed up in the fashion promoted by George IV's visit to Scotland and fomented by Sir Walter Scott's enthusiasm. Over elaborate but it was meant to look impressive. Neil

25th July 2021, 09:29 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	Very much in agreement with these comments. As Mark observes most likely a lowland noble represented in 18th century fashion. With the element of a degree of artistic 'license' (or lack of distinct detail) the weapons do resemble the Highland type silver pistol and the Stirling type hilt basket hilt sword. As Neil has mentioned, when George IV visited Edinburgh in 1822, he rekindled interest in Highland dress, tartans. This became a sort of fad which was indeed helped along by the romantic writings of Sir Walter Scott. In the late 1830s however, the so called 'Sobieski' brothers (their last name was Allan) created a monumentally fabricated ancestral scheme claiming they were legitimate heirs to the Stuart throne. This further fueled the Scottish Jacobite enthusiasm and fascination with Scottish fashion and ancestral lore. While there had been actual preferences for certain 'tartan' patterns among certain clans (mostly based on preferences as well as dyes from locally prevalent vegetation), after Culloden in 1746, not only weapons, but wearing of tartans was outlawed. Most records of the actual clan tartans that were used were lost, but in 1822 the interest reformed and the Sobieski matter recharged things into the development of presumed tartan patterns in the Victorian era. That is likely the climate in which this painting was probably produced, as suggested by Neil. A very handsome painting reflecting the colorful history of Scotland, if original oil, probably mid to latter 19th century.

25th July 2021, 10:51 PM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	And a beautiful pre-1900 frame to boot! You've got a great painting there!

25th July 2021, 11:52 PM	#6
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 343	It is great (and fascinating) to put it into context. Thank you!