{"product_id":"grisette-grey-important-british-sporting-oil-painting-by-herbert-st-john-jones","title":"Grisette Grey Important British Sporting Oil Painting by Herbert St. John Jones","description":"\u003ch2\u003e🖼️ \u003cstrong\u003e\"Grisette\" (1925)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn Important British Sporting Oil Painting signed by Herbert St. John Jones (1872–1939)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePainted from Life at Nantwich with Historical Links to the Grosvenor Sporting Sphere and the Cheshire Hunt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🎨 Subject \u0026amp; Medium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Herbert St. John Jones (British, 1872–1939)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19 February 1925\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oil on canvas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted from life at Nantwich, this exceptional British sporting oil painting depicts \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e, a beautifully conformed flea-bitten grey hunter mare standing proudly in full profile. Executed with remarkable anatomical precision and subtle handling of colour, the painting ranks among the finest surviving examples of Herbert St. John Jones's equestrian work and early twentieth-century Cheshire sporting art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully preserved and retaining its original titled inscription, the painting has benefited from detailed provenance research restoring its correct identity following a later cataloguing error. Earlier auction records confirm the horse's name as \u003cstrong\u003eGrisette\u003c\/strong\u003e, not \u003cstrong\u003e\"Griselle,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e reuniting the work with its documented auction history and strengthening its provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExecuted with remarkable technical confidence and an exceptional understanding of equine anatomy, \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e survives today not only as an outstanding sporting portrait but also as an important historical record of Cheshire's equestrian heritage during the golden age of British fox hunting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🐎 About the Horse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJones portrays \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e with all the characteristics of an accomplished British hunter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer elegant conformation includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Deep chest indicating stamina and endurance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Powerful hindquarters providing athletic strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Clean, well-defined limbs suited to demanding hunting country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Refined head with an alert and intelligent expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Traditionally docked tail reflecting accepted sporting presentation during the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mare's distinctive flea-bitten grey coat is beautifully rendered through delicate layers of silver, cream and charcoal against a rich atmospheric background, demonstrating Herbert St. John Jones's remarkable understanding of equine anatomy and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse of the canvas bears the artist's original inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Painted from Life at Nantwich — H. Herbert St. John Jones — Feb. 19th, 1925.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis important inscription confirms that the portrait was painted directly from observation rather than imagined in the studio, significantly enhancing both its documentary and historical importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🏛️ Historical Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis portrait was completed on \u003cstrong\u003e19 February 1925\u003c\/strong\u003e, at the height of the Cheshire hunting season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the early twentieth century, Cheshire occupied a distinguished position within British sporting society. Eaton Hall, seat of the Grosvenor family, was recognised as one of England's great country estates and a leading centre of hunting, horse breeding and equestrian culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical records confirm that Herbert St. John Jones enjoyed patronage from the \u003cstrong\u003eDuke and Duchess of Westminster\u003c\/strong\u003e, placing him firmly within the artistic circle of one of Britain's foremost sporting families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the time \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e was painted, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster (\"Bendor\"), was among Britain's leading horsemen and an influential figure within the Cheshire Hunt. Jones was regularly commissioned to portray valuable hunters, carriage horses and favourite stable companions belonging to members of Cheshire's landed families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough no surviving documentary evidence currently identifies \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e as a Grosvenor-owned horse, the painting's date, place of execution, quality of commission and Jones's documented relationship with the Westminster family firmly place it within the wider Grosvenor sporting sphere. It represents precisely the type of bespoke equestrian portrait commissioned by affluent sporting families whose lives revolved around the hunting culture centred upon Eaton Hall and the historic Cheshire Hunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors of British sporting art, these historical associations considerably enrich the painting's significance while placing it within one of England's most celebrated equestrian landscapes of the inter-war period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional non-guaranteed opinion of \u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD\u003c\/strong\u003e, based upon careful examination of the artwork, documentary research, comparative analysis, available auction records, historical sources and the physical evidence visible at the time of inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnless supported by primary documentary evidence, statements relating to ownership, patronage, commissions or historical associations should be understood as informed professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact. Future documentary discoveries may further refine current scholarship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🖌️ About the Artist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbert St. John Jones (1872–1939) worked from his respected studio on Hospital Street, Nantwich, where he established himself as one of North-West England's leading painters of horses, livestock and rural sporting life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRenowned for painting directly from life, Jones received commissions from many of Cheshire's principal landowners and country families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical records confirm that his patrons included the \u003cstrong\u003eDuke and Duchess of Westminster of Eaton Hall\u003c\/strong\u003e, firmly establishing his reputation among Britain's foremost sporting artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday his paintings are admired for their meticulous observation, technical accuracy and remarkable ability to capture the individual character of each animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e✍️ Signed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Signed lower left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Titled \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e lower right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Fully inscribed verso in the artist's own copperplate hand:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Painted from Life at Nantwich — H. Herbert St. John Jones — Feb. 19th, 1925.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Original \u003cstrong\u003e\"The Windsor Canvas – Made in England\"\u003c\/strong\u003e manufacturer's stamp to the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🖼️ Framed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePresented in a later fitted giltwood gallery frame that complements the painting beautifully while respecting its period character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frame displays only light age-related country house wear consistent with its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e📏 Size\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanvas:\u003c\/strong\u003e 33.3 cm W × 27.7 cm H (13.1 in × 10.9 in)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrame:\u003c\/strong\u003e 49.7 cm W × 42 cm H × 4.5 cm D (19.6 in × 16.5 in × 1.8 in)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e📜 Provenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDreweatts Neate — 29 May 2002.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally catalogued correctly as \u003cstrong\u003eGrisette\u003c\/strong\u003e and offered alongside its companion painting, \u003cem\u003eSilverbank\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth paintings were recorded as having been painted from life at Nantwich, with \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e specifically carrying the dated inscription of \u003cstrong\u003e19 February 1925\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting later re-entered the market under the transcription error \u003cstrong\u003e\"Griselle.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCareful examination of Herbert St. John Jones's original copperplate inscription confirms that the terminal letters clearly read \u003cstrong\u003e\"-tte,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e corroborating the original 2002 Dreweatts catalogue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe restoration of the correct title reunites the painting with its documented auction history and significantly strengthens its provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e⭐ Why You'll Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e is far more than an attractive horse portrait. It is a rare, fully documented sporting painting with exceptional artistic and historical depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors will appreciate:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Original signed, titled and dated work by Herbert St. John Jones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Original \"Painted from Life\" inscription and Windsor Canvas stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Documented auction history with corrected provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Companion painting (\u003cem\u003eSilverbank\u003c\/em\u003e) recorded in historic auction archives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Strong historical associations with the Grosvenor sporting sphere and the Cheshire Hunt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Outstanding example of British sporting realism from the golden age of fox hunting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of artistic quality, documentary evidence and historical context makes \u003cem\u003eGrisette\u003c\/em\u003e an exceptional purchase for collectors of British sporting art, equestrian paintings, country house interiors and museum-quality sporting memorabilia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🛡️ Condition Report\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting is presented in overall good exhibition condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Structurally sound original canvas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Stable age-related craquelure and scattered foxing consistent with a painting over one hundred years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Historic professionally executed reverse canvas repair that is secure and does not materially affect the painted surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Attractive giltwood gallery frame with expected age-related wear and minor losses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReady for immediate display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"thread-bottom-container\" class=\"group\/thread-bottom-container relative isolate z-10 w-full basis-auto has-data-has-thread-error:pt-2 has-data-has-thread-error:[box-shadow:var(--sharp-edge-bottom-shadow)] md:border-transparent md:pt-0 dark:border-white\/20 md:dark:border-transparent content-fade single-line flex flex-col\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-token-text-secondary relative mt-auto flex min-h-8 w-full items-center justify-center p-2 text-center text-xs md:px-[60px]\"\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide Shipping Available — Professionally packaged and fully insured for secure international delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD — Inquire now to secure this unique piece.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full break-words light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57026210398586,"sku":"CAC-SK-0503","price":9000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/XcRCav6BOrDEpMYPvaLGoAo_0_gps_generated.png?v=1782760557","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/ga-sk\/products\/grisette-grey-important-british-sporting-oil-painting-by-herbert-st-john-jones","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}