19th Century English School Still Life Oil Painting with Fruit, Flowers & Blue Tit (Circa 1880s)
19th Century English School Still Life Oil Painting with Fruit, Flowers & Blue Tit (Circa 1880s)
19th Century English School Still Life Oil Painting with Fruit, Flowers & Blue Tit (Circa 1880s)
A richly observed Victorian still life where fruit, flowers, and birdsong meet in quiet harmony. This evocative English School painting captures nature at its most abundant and romantic.
Key Features
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Authentic 19th-century English School still life oil painting, circa 1880s
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Classical botanical and fruit composition featuring apples, muskmelon, grapes, and foliage
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Delicately painted Blue Tit adding charm and narrative depth
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Rose-centred focal point in rich pink hues drawing the eye inward
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Exceptionally detailed muskmelon with finely rendered texture and tonal depth
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Balanced Victorian still life arrangement with strong sense of realism
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Unsigned, consistent with high-quality English School works of the period
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Retained in its likely original carved gesso giltwood frame
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Ornate foliate carving with bevelled mat border
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Ready to hang and display
Full Description
This unsigned 19th-century English School still life oil painting, dating to the late Victorian period circa the 1880s, presents a beautifully layered composition celebrating nature’s abundance. At its heart, ripe apples, dark grapes, and a meticulously rendered muskmelon are arranged among lush foliage, showcasing the artist’s confident handling of light, texture, and form.
Vibrant pink roses act as the visual anchor of the composition, their rich tones drawing the viewer inward while providing striking contrast against the softer fruit hues. A delicately perched Blue Tit introduces a lyrical avian element, lending life and movement to the scene and elevating the work beyond a traditional fruit still life.
The painting is housed in its likely original carved giltwood and gesso frame, richly detailed with foliate motifs and finished with a bevelled mat that enhances depth and presence. Together, painting and frame embody the refined decorative taste and botanical tradition so admired in 19th-century English interiors.
Elegant yet warm, this still life offers timeless appeal and would sit beautifully in both classic and contemporary settings, ideal for collectors of Victorian art, antique still life paintings, and English School works.
Dimensions
Height: 43.5 cm
Width: 74 cm
Depth: 3.5 cm
Materials
Oil on canvas
Carved wooden frame
Hand-applied gesso detailing
Gilt finish with foliate ornamentation
Condition
As with all genuine antiques, this painting shows signs of its age, including gentle surface wear, natural ageing, and subtle patina. Overall condition is very good and entirely commensurate with a late 19th-century artwork. The frame displays minor age-related wear, adding to its authenticity and character.
Origin & Period
Origin: England
School: English School
Period: Late 19th Century
Date: Circa 1880s
Styling Suggestions
Perfect as a statement piece in a dining room, hallway, or library, this painting pairs beautifully with antique furniture, gilt mirrors, and layered gallery walls, while also adding warmth and texture to more contemporary interiors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the painting signed?
This work is unsigned, which is common for English School still life paintings of this period.
Is the frame original?
The frame is believed to be original or very early to the painting and is entirely consistent with English giltwood frames of the late 19th century.
Is it ready to hang?
Yes, the painting is fully framed and ready for immediate display.
Unique Points
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Romantic Victorian still life with botanical and avian elements
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Rare inclusion of a Blue Tit within a fruit and floral composition
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Strong rose-centred colour palette
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Likely original carved gesso giltwood frame
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Decorative yet collectible English School artwork
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