Attributed to J. Brown – Old Badge Hen & Champion Holley Brothers Racing Cock
Attributed to J. Brown – Old Badge Hen & Champion Holley Brothers Racing Cock
Rare British Sporting Folk Art Trophy Portrait with Extensive Racing & Breeding Inscriptions
Oil on Board, Early 20th Century, circa 1930 | Curated Auctions, London Provenance
Highlights
• Rare British racing-pigeon trophy portrait attributed to J. Brown
• Oil on board, early 20th century, circa 1930
• Named “Old Badge Hen” accompanied by a Holley Brothers racing cock
• Old Badge Hen commemorated for her breeding legacy
• Painted record includes “1st Whitley Bay 09”
• Further references to Tynemouth, Perth, Banff and Trehafod
• Extensive original racing and breeding inscriptions
• Private London pigeon-fancier provenance
• Curated Auctions, London, 6 December 2024, Lot 370
• Privately loaned and exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire
• Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution supplied
Introduction
A rare and historically fascinating British racing-pigeon trophy portrait attributed to J. Brown, depicting the named breeding hen “Old Badge Hen” alongside a distinguished racing cock associated by inscription with Messrs Holley Brothers.
Painted in oil on board and extensively inscribed, the work combines British sporting art with the documentary character of a pedigree, racing record and commemorative trophy.
Catalogue Details
Artist: Attributed to J. Brown
School: British Naive / Folk Sporting School
Title: Old Badge Hen & Champion Holley Brothers Racing Cock
Date: Early 20th century, circa 1930
Medium: Oil on board
Signature: Unsigned
Painting: approximately 44 × 41 cm / 17.3 × 16.1 inches
Framed: approximately 57 × 52 × 2.5 cm / 22.4 × 20.5 × 1 inch
Frame: Substantial carved period wooden frame
Catalogue Note
Old Badge Hen occupies the left of the composition, her chequered plumage carefully differentiated from the larger blue-bar cock standing prominently upon raised rocky ground.
The painted surface explicitly identifies the hen as “OLD BADGE HEN”. Her inscription includes “Dam of 1st Perth”, “Club & Fed” and “Grand Dam”, together with references to Buxton and “2nd Craven Arms”.
These words indicate that Old Badge Hen was commemorated particularly as an important breeding hen whose descendants achieved competitive success.
The cock is associated with the inscription “MESSRS HOLLEY BRO. BUTE”. Its racing résumé includes “1st Whitley Bay 09”, “1st Pool”, “2nd Tynmth” and “5th Perth”, together with further references to Banff, Trehafod and “1st Club”.
Some abbreviated passages remain uncertain and have deliberately not been expanded into unsupported historical claims. “BUTE” is likewise retained as an inscription rather than interpreted as a confirmed geographical location.
The Artist
J. Brown is associated with a distinctive body of British racing-pigeon portraiture characterised by carefully differentiated plumage, direct naive modelling, simplified landscapes and extensive painted inscriptions recording ownership and sporting achievement.
Comparable racing-pigeon works associated with Brown provide the stylistic basis for the present attribution.
As this painting is unsigned, Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® conservatively catalogues it as Attributed to J. Brown.
Provenance
Private London-based pigeon fancier collection.
Curated Auctions, London, Luxury Interiors: Including Exceptional Silver & Works of Art, 6 December 2024, Lot 370.
Acquired by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® in 2024.
Curated, researched and catalogued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.
Exhibition History
Privately loaned by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® and exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire.
Dimensions
Painting: approximately 44 × 41 cm / 17.3 × 16.1 inches.
Overall framed: approximately 57 × 52 × 2.5 cm / 22.4 × 20.5 × 1 inch.
Condition Report
Presented in good, honest condition consistent with age. Age-related craquelure, surface variation, scattered marks and spotting are present. A visible vertical area of staining or discolouration occurs towards the left side of the painted surface.
The carved period frame displays age-related wear, scuffs, minor losses and evidence of historic repair and retouching.
Please examine the complete photographic record.
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.
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