Rare Stannard Original Pen & Ink Partridge Game Birds 1862 Victorian Sporting Art

Rare Stannard Original Pen & Ink Partridge Game Birds 1862 Victorian Sporting Art


A fascinating and potentially significant original Victorian pen-and-ink sporting study of game birds, clearly dated 2nd December 1862, believed to be associated with the Stannard family of artists.


The work has been possibly attributed to Anna Maria Stannard, an elusive member of the Stannard artistic family about whom comparatively little information appears to survive. She is recorded as being artistically active during the period circa 1852–1869, making the clearly inscribed date of 1862 particularly interesting and worthy of further research.


Please note that the Anna Maria Stannard attribution has not been independently authenticated and is offered as a possibility only.


The original drawing is executed in exceptionally fine pen and ink, with five detailed studies of game birds arranged within an oval. Each bird illustrates a different shooting term or situation and is individually inscribed in period handwriting:


“A Killed Bird”

“A Struck Bird”

“A Towering Bird”

“A Cut Up Bird”

“A Wing’d Bird”


The individual feathers, movement and positions of the birds have been carefully observed and rendered, creating an unusual piece of 19th-century British sporting and shooting art.


The work is clearly inscribed at the bottom:


“Dec. 2nd 1862”


There are also further handwritten inscriptions around the lower edge which may provide additional clues regarding the artist or history of the drawing.


Interesting original reverse


An especially appealing feature is that the drawing remains attached to its old period backing, rather than having been modernly remounted.


On the reverse are two surviving Victorian printed/engraved illustrations, entitled “Triumph of Art” and “A Neat Reminder.” These appear to have been historically pasted to the backing and are an interesting part of the object’s history in their own right.


The survival of the original 1862 drawing, period backing and Victorian illustrations on the reverse makes this a particularly unusual and rare survivor.


Condition


The piece is offered in untouched, as-found condition.


The old backing is heavily distressed with substantial losses, tears, creasing and general deterioration. The original drawing has age-related toning, creasing, small tears and edge wear, as shown clearly in the photographs.


Importantly, it has not been cleaned, restored or removed from its historic backing. I have deliberately left it exactly as found so that any future conservation can be undertaken appropriately.


Please study all photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the description and provide the best indication of condition.


Artist/Attribution: Stannard family – possibly Anna Maria Stannard

Date: 2 December 1862

Medium: Original pen and ink on paper

Subject: Game birds / shooting / field sports

Period: Victorian / mid-19th century

Reverse: Two period Victorian printed/engraved illustrations


A rare and intriguing piece of Victorian sporting art, over 160 years old, with considerable character and research potential. It would be of particular interest to collectors of Stannard family art, Victorian drawings, game-bird studies, shooting memorabilia, country-house art and British sporting pictures.


Measures approx 16cm x 20cm