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Prometheus Antiques
Tel07932 624971or0194921097Please quote Antiques Atlas.
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+44 7932 624971
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or +44 194921097
Superb Victorian oil portrait of a naval officer
A fine oil on canvas portrait of Commander William Watson-Smyth. The portrait is beautifully painted with the officer standing in dress uniform in a rocky coastal landscape. The work is in excellent condition it has been lined at some point in the past and it has been professionally cleaned recently. The painting is framed in a Victorian period gilt frame with modern oval slip. The frame has a great worn look and works very well with the portrait. The painting is signed by monogram EW and dated 1860. The date matches the medals he is wearing which are for the Baltic and Chinese campaigns of the 1850’s. The whole has a great period look and a great history. It is ready to hang.
Overall sizes in inches including frame: 26 ½ by 32 ¼
Biography of Commander William Watson-Smyth
Commander William Watson-Smyth had an illustrious naval career eventually becoming one of the Naval Knights of Windsor. He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in October 1853, joining the steam flag ship H.M.S. Ajax flying the flag of Rear Admiral Sir William Carroll, K.C.B., in which he served in the Baltic Campaign of 1854-55. He was promoted to Midshipman in October 1855 and, in May 1856, he was appointed to the Sloop H.M.S. Niger, Captain the Honourable Arthur A. Cochrane, C.B., for service with the Pacific Squadron. He took part in the opening stages of the Second China War and was also present at the destruction of the Chinese fleet in Fatshan Creek on 1 June 1857, and the storming of Canton in December 1857. He was Gazetted on 1 August 1857, ‘as having been engaged in the Niger’s boats at the destruction of a flotilla of Chinese gunboats’ (Midshipman Niger’s 2nd Gig, 1 June 1857: Destruction of Fatshan Flotilla of War Junks).
In 1858 H.M.S. Niger (Captain P. Cracroft, R.N.) was transferred to the Australian Station commanded by Commodore William Loring, C.B. William Smyth was promoted to Mate in October 1859, and took part in the early actions in Taranaki including the capture of Te Kohia Pa on 17-18 March 1860, and the attack on Omatto and Waireka on 28 March 1860. He was given independent command of the colonial schooner Caroline, formerly known as Ruby, which had been requisitioned for naval service and was reported as rendering valuable service in transporting and landing troops and stores in support of the various naval actions. On 12 December 1860, William Smyth was transferred in a death vacancy to Commodore Loring's Flag Ship H.M.S. Iris. In this vessel he was present at the action at Mata-rikoriko (Winking Eyes) on 29 December 1860. During the early part of 1861, the Iris landed a small Naval Brigade, which took part in the skirmish at the Valley of Waitara. Smyth was Gazetted ‘as having been engaged in the spirited action with the enemy’.
On promotion to Lieutenant in March 1862, he was transferred to the steam corvette H.M.S. Tribune, also serving on the Pacific Station, and remained in her until she returned to England in 1865. He was invalided from H.M.S. Tribune in 1865 “
‘for preservation of life’, his nine year service in Far Eastern waters, including adverse climatic conditions and active involvement in two wars, having taken a heavy toll on his health. His health showed only minor improvement and when appointed to the training ship Impregnable, based at Devonport in September 1865, he was far from well. In July 1867 he was appointed First Lieutenant of H.M.S. Ganges, a training ship for boys based at Falmouth. His services while holding this post were commended but continuing failing health resulted in his early retirement as a Commander in 1873 after nearly 20 years of service.
His good services were recognised in January 1876 when Queen Victoria selected him to be the youngest, aged just 37, of the Naval Knights of Windsor, whose number never exceeded seven retired naval officers at any one time, under the terms of the Will of Samuel Travers. He did not enjoy this rare distinction for long as he died in 1877, having served a little under two years among the select band of august naval officers. He was buried in the grounds of Travers College, Windsor Castle.
At Prometheus Antiques we want our customers to be completely happy with our items everything is sold with a guarantee and all items are fully and clearly described. We do try to make sure that what you see on the screen is as true a reflection of the actual item in reality as possible. Photos should be clear and without excessive extra light, however if you would like other photos of an item please do get in touch. We can also send video or video chat so that you can get as accurate an idea of the piece that interests you as possible.
We do have a private showroom 15 mins drive from Newark where Items can be viewed by prior appointment. If you are unable to visit us please purchase with the knowledge that we give a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied, we only ask that you pay return transport costs.
We are happy to organise deliveries to all destinations. Delivery of some items will be free depending on size, delivery method, and location. Where charges are made for delivery we try to be as cost effective as possible on your behalf. Deliveries can be organised all over the world so please do ask wherever you are. If an item interests you get in touch and we can always talk about various ways and costs that might be involved in getting it to you.
Payment can be made by any of the following Cheque, Bank Transfer, and all major Debit and Credit Cards over the telephone. We do also take Paypal payments.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or questions, by email or on either
Mobile 24hr 07932 624971
Shop 0194921097
SellerPrometheus Antiques
View all stock from
Prometheus Antiques
Newark on Trent
Nottinghamshire
England
UK
Tel : 07932 624971
or : 0194921097
Non UK callers : +44 7932 624971 or +44 194921097
Overall sizes in inches including frame: 26 ½ by 32 ¼
Biography of Commander William Watson-Smyth
Commander William Watson-Smyth had an illustrious naval career eventually becoming one of the Naval Knights of Windsor. He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in October 1853, joining the steam flag ship H.M.S. Ajax flying the flag of Rear Admiral Sir William Carroll, K.C.B., in which he served in the Baltic Campaign of 1854-55. He was promoted to Midshipman in October 1855 and, in May 1856, he was appointed to the Sloop H.M.S. Niger, Captain the Honourable Arthur A. Cochrane, C.B., for service with the Pacific Squadron. He took part in the opening stages of the Second China War and was also present at the destruction of the Chinese fleet in Fatshan Creek on 1 June 1857, and the storming of Canton in December 1857. He was Gazetted on 1 August 1857, ‘as having been engaged in the Niger’s boats at the destruction of a flotilla of Chinese gunboats’ (Midshipman Niger’s 2nd Gig, 1 June 1857: Destruction of Fatshan Flotilla of War Junks).
In 1858 H.M.S. Niger (Captain P. Cracroft, R.N.) was transferred to the Australian Station commanded by Commodore William Loring, C.B. William Smyth was promoted to Mate in October 1859, and took part in the early actions in Taranaki including the capture of Te Kohia Pa on 17-18 March 1860, and the attack on Omatto and Waireka on 28 March 1860. He was given independent command of the colonial schooner Caroline, formerly known as Ruby, which had been requisitioned for naval service and was reported as rendering valuable service in transporting and landing troops and stores in support of the various naval actions. On 12 December 1860, William Smyth was transferred in a death vacancy to Commodore Loring's Flag Ship H.M.S. Iris. In this vessel he was present at the action at Mata-rikoriko (Winking Eyes) on 29 December 1860. During the early part of 1861, the Iris landed a small Naval Brigade, which took part in the skirmish at the Valley of Waitara. Smyth was Gazetted ‘as having been engaged in the spirited action with the enemy’.
On promotion to Lieutenant in March 1862, he was transferred to the steam corvette H.M.S. Tribune, also serving on the Pacific Station, and remained in her until she returned to England in 1865. He was invalided from H.M.S. Tribune in 1865 “
‘for preservation of life’, his nine year service in Far Eastern waters, including adverse climatic conditions and active involvement in two wars, having taken a heavy toll on his health. His health showed only minor improvement and when appointed to the training ship Impregnable, based at Devonport in September 1865, he was far from well. In July 1867 he was appointed First Lieutenant of H.M.S. Ganges, a training ship for boys based at Falmouth. His services while holding this post were commended but continuing failing health resulted in his early retirement as a Commander in 1873 after nearly 20 years of service.
His good services were recognised in January 1876 when Queen Victoria selected him to be the youngest, aged just 37, of the Naval Knights of Windsor, whose number never exceeded seven retired naval officers at any one time, under the terms of the Will of Samuel Travers. He did not enjoy this rare distinction for long as he died in 1877, having served a little under two years among the select band of august naval officers. He was buried in the grounds of Travers College, Windsor Castle.
At Prometheus Antiques we want our customers to be completely happy with our items everything is sold with a guarantee and all items are fully and clearly described. We do try to make sure that what you see on the screen is as true a reflection of the actual item in reality as possible. Photos should be clear and without excessive extra light, however if you would like other photos of an item please do get in touch. We can also send video or video chat so that you can get as accurate an idea of the piece that interests you as possible.
We do have a private showroom 15 mins drive from Newark where Items can be viewed by prior appointment. If you are unable to visit us please purchase with the knowledge that we give a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied, we only ask that you pay return transport costs.
We are happy to organise deliveries to all destinations. Delivery of some items will be free depending on size, delivery method, and location. Where charges are made for delivery we try to be as cost effective as possible on your behalf. Deliveries can be organised all over the world so please do ask wherever you are. If an item interests you get in touch and we can always talk about various ways and costs that might be involved in getting it to you.
Payment can be made by any of the following Cheque, Bank Transfer, and all major Debit and Credit Cards over the telephone. We do also take Paypal payments.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or questions, by email or on either
Mobile 24hr 07932 624971
Shop 0194921097
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 28/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art
> Antique Oil Paintings
Date 1860
Early Victorian Antiques Material Oil Painting on Canvas
Origin English
Item code as514a1478
Status Sold
£0.00
$0.00
€0.00
$
€
Conversion rates as of 28/NOV/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Shipping information
The shipping and delivery of items may not be included in the list price of items, please do contact us to find out. All shipping is done by a tried and tested network of specialists and items remain fully insured throughout.
View all stock from
Prometheus Antiques
Newark on Trent
Nottinghamshire
England
UK
Tel : 07932 624971
or : 0194921097
Non UK callers : +44 7932 624971 or +44 194921097
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