Antique Pencil Portrait In Gilded Frame – Central Europe, Circa 1840
Tarragona, Tarragona, Spain
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Paper
Style
Antique
Product Details
Description
Antique pencil portrait in gilded frame, on parchment-toned paper, set in a gilt stucco moulding with a heraldic crest of crown and shield. It originates from Central Europe, from the first half of the nineteenth century, when graphite and charcoal portraiture was cultivated as an intimate genre within bourgeois and aristocratic portraiture.
The Romantic-period drawn portrait stood between the personal document and the cabinet piece. Compared with oil — more ceremonial — drawing allowed greater intimacy: short sittings, attention to character. It was framed with the same care as a larger painting. The heraldic crest crowning the moulding confirms the sitter’s rank and ties the portrait to a particular lineage.
The drawing is executed in graphite and charcoal over paper toned in an ochre wash, a technique common among German and Austrian portraitists of the late Biedermeier. The young man is shown three-quarter-view, with curled hair and a high cravat, in the contained pose of academic portraiture. The moulding is water-gilt stucco over a wooden core, with leaf-and-rosette ornament at the corners, preserving the original openwork crest above.
The overall patina is warm and honest, with the paper slightly cockled and darkened by time, the drawing well preserved and the gilding worn at edges and corners, exposing the reddish bole beneath. The heraldic crest also shows localised losses consistent with its age.
It sits naturally in eclectic, classical or curated contemporary interiors. It works as a solitary piece on a sideboard, in a gallery wall alongside other antique portraits, or as a historical accent in a quietly furnished bedroom, where the sitter’s gaze acts as a silent focal point.
Details
Dimensions: Length 59 cm – Width 5 cm – Height 85 cm
Style: Romantic (late Biedermeier)
Materials and techniques: Parchment-toned paper and wood with gilt stucco; graphite-and-charcoal drawing; water gilding over bole; openwork heraldic crest.
Place of origin: Central Europe
Period: First half of the nineteenth century
Date of manufacture: Circa 1840
Condition: Good. Localised losses on gilding and crest. Wear consistent with age and use.
Condition report:
Good. Localised losses on gilding and crest. Wear consistent with age and use.
Wear Condition
Good
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We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
Estimated delivery time
One to two weeks
Free collection available
Yes
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Reviews
5.0
Based on 6 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
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A. The item isn't as described (free return)
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B. You changed your mind
UK-to-UK furniture deliveries:
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All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
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The seller will confirm the best option based on the item.
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Damage on arrival is uncommon, especially for UK furniture deliveries.
But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
- Let us know as soon as possible (ideally within 72 hours of delivery) so we can resolve things quickly
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Your statutory rights apply for up to 30 days from delivery.
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We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
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Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
7. Refunds
Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
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What your service fee covers
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14-day return guarantee
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Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
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Seller vetting
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Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
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