David Lamb British Equestrian Oil Painting Shetland Groom With Ponies

David Lamb British Equestrian Oil Painting Shetland Groom Two Ponies Early 21st Century

An original early 21st-century British equestrian oil painting by Yorkshire artist David Lamb, depicting two Shetland ponies in a traditional rural paddock. Signed by the artist and accompanied by original documentary labels recording its title, medium and exhibition at the 50th Anniversary Gargrave Art Exhibition in July 2022.

Highlights

• Original oil on canvas by David Lamb of Cross Roads, Keighley, West Yorkshire.

• Early 21st century; undated, exhibited in 2022.

• Signed LAMB, lower left.

• Original handwritten title card identifying the painting as Shetland Groom.

• Depicts two Shetland-type ponies in a rural paddock.

• Original artist's contact card retained.

• Exhibited at the 50th Anniversary Gargrave Art Exhibition, July 2022.

• Original gold-bordered exhibition label retained, catalogue number appearing to read 60.

• Artist identified as the 2015 Gargrave People's Choice of Best in Show winner.

• Invited to present a dedicated display at the 2016 Gargrave exhibition.

• Reported association with Bingley Art Society.

• Regional newspaper coverage reports a 2012 Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party invitation.

• Friendly Framing, Halifax, trade label retained.

• Canvas 46 × 35.5 cm; framed 52 × 41.5 × 2.7 cm.

Introduction

An attractive original British equestrian oil painting by David Lamb, titled Shetland Groom, depicting two ponies gathered in a peaceful rural paddock.

The composition combines animal portraiture with a traditional countryside setting, incorporating timber fencing, a field shelter, mature trees and gently rising pasture.

Of particular documentary significance are the original handwritten title card, artist's contact card and exhibition label recording the painting's inclusion in the 50th Anniversary Gargrave Art Exhibition in 2022.

Catalogue Details

Artist: David Lamb

Title: Shetland Groom

Date: Early 21st century; undated, exhibited July 2022

School: British / Yorkshire School

Period: Early 21st century / Contemporary British

Medium: Oil on canvas

Signature: Signed LAMB, lower left

Subject: Two Shetland ponies in a rural paddock

Frame: Rustic warm-toned wood-effect moulding

Catalogue Note

The painting depicts two Shetland-type ponies standing close together within a sheltered rural paddock.

Their contrasting chestnut, cream and white colouring, compact proportions and abundant manes provide the principal visual interest.

The artist carefully observes their coat markings, posture and expressions, presenting the animals as an intimate equestrian group.

A timber field shelter, wooden fencing, mature trees and gently rising pasture establish the countryside setting. Small yellow flowers punctuate the grassy foreground, while a distant figure stands near a gate.

The harmonious palette of greens, browns, creams and ochres complements the warm colouring of the ponies.

The Shetland Ponies and Rural Setting

Shetland ponies are a native British breed originating from the Shetland Islands, renowned for their strength, hardiness and compact stature.

The two animals depicted display several characteristics associated with the breed, including sturdy bodies, relatively short legs and abundant manes.

Although Yorkshire is a plausible regional context given the artist's association with Keighley, the precise location of the farm remains unidentified.

The individual ponies' names, ownership and the identity of the figure near the gate have not been established.

Dating the Painting

The painting is undated but was exhibited at Gargrave in July 2022.

It is therefore catalogued as early 21st century, with the exhibition providing a documented latest possible date of execution.

The Artist – David Lamb

David Lamb was a British artist associated with Cross Roads, near Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Regional newspaper research has identified references to a David Lamb of Cross Roads reportedly associated with Bingley Art Society and local painting exhibitions.

Published Gargrave exhibition material identifies David Lamb of Keighley as the recipient of the 2015 People's Choice of Best in Show award.

He was subsequently invited to present a dedicated display of his work at the 2016 Gargrave Art Exhibition.

Regional newspaper reports also describe an invitation for David and his wife Geraldine to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2012. This forms part of his reported personal biography and does not imply royal artistic patronage.

His exact birth and death dates and formal artistic training have not yet been independently established.

The Artist's Signature and Original Title Card

The painting is signed LAMB in dark paint in the lower-left corner.

The original handwritten title card identifies David Lamb as the artist, Shetland Groom as the title and oil as the medium.

The card also bears an earlie asking price, retained as historical documentation rather than the current retail price.

The Gargrave Art Exhibition – 2022

The painting retains an original gold-bordered label recording its inclusion in the 50th Anniversary Gargrave Art Exhibition, held at Gargrave Village Hall, North Yorkshire, from 14 to 17 July 2022.

The handwritten catalogue number appears to read 60.

The anniversary exhibition included nearly 300 artworks by approximately 100 artists and attracted more than 1,200 visitors.

Provenance

David Lamb, artist, Cross Roads, Keighley, West Yorkshire.

Gargrave Art Exhibition, 50th Anniversary Exhibition, July 2022; original label retained.

Subsequently in private ownership, United Kingdom.

Acquired by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, October 2026.

Exhibition History

Gargrave Art Exhibition, 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Gargrave Village Hall, North Yorkshire, 14–17 July 2022.

Original exhibition label retained; catalogue number appearing to read 60.

Frame and Presentation

Presented in a rustic warm-toned wood-effect frame complementing the traditional rural subject.

The reverse retains a Friendly Framing trade label identifying the business as:

Friendly Framing, 310 Ovenden Road, Halifax HX3 5TJ. Telephone: 01422 252120.

The precise date of framing is unknown.

Dimensions

Framed: 52 cm wide × 41.5 cm high × 2.7 cm deep (approximately 20.5 × 16.3 × 1.1 inches).

Canvas: 46 cm wide × 35.5 cm high (approximately 18.1 × 14.0 inches).

Condition Report

The original oil painting is presented in attractive overall visual condition, commensurate with its apparent age.

The painted surface retains its detailed composition, original texture and visible artist's signature. Minor age-related surface characteristics and handling marks are present, with no obvious significant paint loss, tears or major structural damage apparent from the photographs.

The canvas remains stretched over its wooden support. The rustic frame displays minor surface marks consistent with use.

The original artist's title card, contact card, Gargrave exhibition label and Friendly Framing trade label remain associated with the painting.

No independent conservation examination has been undertaken. Please examine the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the condition description.

Published References and Documentary Research

Gargrave Art Exhibition, 2022 Golden Anniversary, official exhibition retrospective.

Gargrave parish-magazine material, July 2016; David Lamb of Keighley, 2015 People's Choice of Best in Show and invited 2016 display.

Keighley News, Artist of His Own Destiny; regional biographical reference requiring further confirmation.

Keighley News, Firm Steps In to Save London Trip; supplementary reference concerning the reported 2012 Royal Garden Party invitation.

David Lamb, original handwritten title card and artist's contact card.

Gargrave Art Exhibition, original 2022 anniversary exhibition label.

Friendly Framing, Halifax; original trade label retained on the reverse.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the historic framed presentation of the artwork, 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, exhibition history 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, dating 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 physical evidence, historic inscriptions, 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, identity of the ponies, location of the farm 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.

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Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.