Oil painting sword

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2021, 08:29 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, 09:51 PM

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

JeffS · 25th July 2021, 10:52 PM

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

JeffS · 25th July 2021, 11:33 PM

Double post

shayde78 · 26th July 2021, 02:02 AM

JeffS,
I see your location listed as 'Singapore'. You mention this painting was found in your sister's basement. Was it found in Singapore? If so, what were the circumstances that would bring a 19th century painting of a subject dressed in 18th century Scottish fashion to 21st century Singapore?

JeffS · 26th July 2021, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayde78

JeffS,
I see your location listed as 'Singapore'. You mention this painting was found in your sister's basement. Was it found in Singapore? If so, what were the circumstances that would bring a 19th century painting of a subject dressed in 18th century Scottish fashion to 21st century Singapore?

Currently in Ohio! It is still a mystery though...

drdavid · 26th July 2021, 07:12 AM

And here is a painting of said ‘George IV’ by David Wilkie (1829), to highlight the great similarity in pose and regalia .
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Name: 6a0b5209b16693b790c1098511ba1cbd.jpg
Views: 1403
Size: 186.7 KB

25th July 2021, 11:33 PM	#4
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 423	Double post Last edited by JeffS; 25th July 2021 at 11:33 PM. Reason: Double

25th July 2021, 08:29 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	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, 09:51 PM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	And a beautiful pre-1900 frame to boot! You've got a great painting there!

25th July 2021, 10:52 PM	#3
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 423	It is great (and fascinating) to put it into context. Thank you!

26th July 2021, 02:02 AM	#5
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	JeffS, I see your location listed as 'Singapore'. You mention this painting was found in your sister's basement. Was it found in Singapore? If so, what were the circumstances that would bring a 19th century painting of a subject dressed in 18th century Scottish fashion to 21st century Singapore?

26th July 2021, 07:12 AM	#7
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	And here is a painting of said ‘George IV’ by David Wilkie (1829), to highlight the great similarity in pose and regalia .