19th Century South Kensington Art School Still Life of 17th c style chair and sword

An evocative late Victorian oil on canvas  painting in unrestored condition depicting a carved oak 17th c style chair draped in a deep red cloth, accompanied by a shield and sword — a carefully arranged still life designed to challenge the painter’s handling of drapery, texture, and form.   The 17th century style chair standing on a tiger skin.

The reverse bears the bold “E.S.K.” stamp (Examined South Kensington) together with a partially preserved student registration label. These markings confirm that the work was produced within the South Kensington art school system and submitted for assessment at the South Kensington Art school, which became the Royal College of Art in 1896.  This example dates to the 1880s.  There is an old label to the front, possibly part of an exhibit label.

The South Kensington System

Established in the mid-19th century, the South Kensington curriculum transformed art education in Britain. Works like this were created in regional art schools and sent to London for examination, ensuring a high, standardised level of instruction nationwide. This painting offers a rare surviving example of that system in practice.

Unrestored, some tears and losses including to left of sword, with surface wear, craquelure, consistent with age but a wonderful survivor.

Measuring: 76 cm x 50 cm

English, c. 1880

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