Large Late Victorian Oil Portrait By John Maler Collier – Lady Knitting, Possibly Lady Laing, C.1893–1900
London, United Kingdom
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Oil on Canvas, Glass
Style
Antique, Victorian, Edwardian
Product Details
Description
Large Late Victorian Portrait by John Maler Collier – Lady Knitting, Possibly Lady Laing, c.1893–1900
Atmospheric British society portrait with rich green upholstery, elegant costume and a substantial period Richard Turley frame.
Highlights
• Attributed to John Maler Collier
• Circa 1893–1900
• Oil on canvas
• Signed “John Collier” in red
• Mature female sitter knitting
• Rich green upholstered armchair
• Period giltwood and composition frame
• Richard Turley trade label
• Approximately 103 × 81.5 cm / 40.6 × 32.1 inches
• Mellors & Kirk Lot 718, January 2021
• Possible Lady Laing identification
Introduction
A sophisticated late Victorian portrait combining the scale of formal British society portraiture with the quieter atmosphere of domestic life.
The sitter is shown seated comfortably in a green upholstered armchair, occupied with her knitting. Her dark dress and high pale collar contrast strongly with the rich green upholstery and subdued background.
The painting has developed an intriguing research dimension following comparison with Collier’s documented **1893 portrait of Lady Laing**, which also depicts a mature woman engaged in knitting or needlework.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Attributed to John Maler Collier (1850–1934)
Date: Circa 1893–1900
Medium: Oil on canvas
Signature: Signed “John Collier” in red
Canvas: Approximately 103 × 81.5 cm / 40.6 × 32.1 inches
Frame: Period Richard Turley giltwood and composition frame
Sitter: Unidentified; possibly Lady Laing
Catalogue Note
Mellors & Kirk catalogued the painting in 2021 as a work by The Hon. John Collier, recording the red signature, 103 × 81.5 cm dimensions, unlined canvas and original Richard Turley frame.
The present catalogue retains that attributional history while using the more cautious designation “Attributed to John Maler Collier”.
The Lady Laing comparison is significant but not conclusive. The known 1893 portrait is a different composition.
Composition & Technique
The sitter occupies most of the visual field, with particular emphasis on her face and hands.
The knitting provides a natural focal point at the lower centre of the portrait, while the green upholstery creates an unusually strong decorative element.
Historical Context
Domestic needlework was part of the visual vocabulary of Victorian portraiture, capable of suggesting domestic accomplishment and private character.
Collier's 1893 Lady Laing portrait confirms that he employed this motif in a documented society portrait.
The Sitter – Possibly Lady Laing
Theresa Talbot Laing, Lady Laing (1831–1913), has emerged as an important candidate.
The known 1893 Collier portrait shows Lady Laing similarly engaged in needlework.
No documentary evidence yet proves that the same woman is represented in the present painting, and the two compositions are different.
About Lady Laing
Lady Laing was the wife of prominent Sunderland shipbuilder Sir James Laing.
Both Sir James and Lady Laing were painted by John Collier in 1893.
The Artist
John Maler Collier was an important British portraitist of the late Victorian and Edwardian periods whose sitters included prominent figures from science, politics, literature and society.
The Richard Turley Frame
The substantial period frame retains Richard Turley's printed trade label from 21 Crogsland Road, Kentish Town.
Collier is documented as having referred to Turley as “my framemaker”.
Signed
Signed “John Collier” in red, lower left.
Provenance
Mellors & Kirk Fine Art & Antiques, Nottingham, 14 January 2021, Lot 718.
Acquired directly from the above sale by the present owner in 2021.
Earlier provenance presently unspecified.
Why You'll Love It
Imposing wall presence.
Rich green upholstered chair.
Elegant late Victorian costume.
Unusual knitting subject.
Period Richard Turley frame.
Documented Mellors & Kirk provenance.
Interesting possible Lady Laing connection.
Dimensions
Approximately 103 × 81.5 cm / 40.6 × 32.1 inches.
Frame depth approximately 10 cm / 3.9 inches.
Condition Report
Antique condition commensurate with age.
Mellors & Kirk recorded good original unlined condition beneath glass in 2021.
Craquelure and surface ageing visible.
Small lower tear or puncture with verso repair.
Age-related wear and losses to the period gilt frame.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
Owing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.
International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.
Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.
Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.
Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.
Condition report:
Presented beneath protective glass in a period giltwood and composition frame.
Wear Condition
Good
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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.
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