Islamique Antiques

Description

rare Bradford watercolour dated 1881 signed Petergate and Cathedral

This is an absolutely stunning and unique piece of local history.
The detail and quality on this watercolour is amazing.

You can see the beautifully detailed buildings, with the tenement block in the foreground and the magnificent Cathedral towering in the background.

The people are depicted delightfully, with a woman in a woman in shawl holding a baby and looking directly at you! On the left there are two gentlemen having a chat, one leaning against the building with the other wearing a top hat and carrying a cane. Then just next to them are a group: a man with a horse talking with a women, his dog at his heels.

Towards the bottom right of this exquisite watercolour, next to the boy pulling the cart, is the signature of the artist:

“H.L. Holmes
-/81”

What makes this watercolour even more desirable is that there is also a period watercolour on the reverse! In fact, the watercolour on the reverse was painted when the artist was still at school as it states in beautiful cursive handwriting:

“Bradford Moor Commercial School
Drawn and Coloured by
Henry Leuty Holmes, aged 13
years, Xmas 1871”

This piece of school work is delightfully executed, it would have been copied from a text book. So, if Henry was aged 13 in 1871, he would have been aged 23 in 1881 when he painted the watercolour of Petergate.

This work has been mounted in a mid-20th century frame which is open at the back so the reverse can be viewed.

It measures 55cm x 45cm (frame).

This wonderful piece of local history is ready to display and would look amazing in any room.

It is in excellent condition with very minor blemishes commensurate with age.
The colours are bright and fresh.

We have recently acquired a large single owner collection of ‘Bradfordiana’, items relating to the history and trade of Bradford in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Pieces range from pre-Victorian up to the mid-20th Century. We will consider selling the whole collection as one lot so please contact us for details.

All of our items are guaranteed to be as described and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Our prices include free, fully insured international shipping.

Discounts are available on multiple purchases and prices are negotiable within reason.