Song Thrush Bird Watercolour by Charles F. Tunnicliffe OBE RA
Song Thrush Watercolour by Charles F. Tunnicliffe OBE RA โ Mid-Century British, Framed
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Subject & Medium ๐จ
Original watercolour on artist-quality laid paper, depicting a Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) perched on a flowering branch and captured at the moment of song. Executed circa the 1950s, during the artistโs mature mid-century period. The work is monogrammed โCTโ, consistent with authenticated examples, and retains the refined tonal balance associated with Tunnicliffeโs established practice.
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Composition & Technique โจ
The vertically oriented composition places the bird as the focal point while the flowering branch introduces diagonal movement and seasonal narrative. Tunnicliffe employs layered translucent washes to build form and volume, complemented by fine linework and dry-brush detail to articulate feather texture and bark structure. The restrained paletteโwarm browns, soft greys and gentle blossom tonesโdemonstrates exceptional tonal discipline, allowing the image to read with clarity both at close inspection and from a distance.
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About the Artist ๐๏ธ
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe OBE RA (1901โ1979) is widely regarded as one of the most significant British wildlife artists of the twentieth century. Trained at Darlington and Belfast art schools and working extensively from the Isle of Anglesey, Tunnicliffe combined rigorous field observation with refined draughtsmanship. A Royal Academician and recipient of the OBE for services to art, his work is represented in museum and institutional collections and remains highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
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Historical & Cultural Significance ๐ฑ
The song thrush has long held a place in British literature and folklore, admired for its distinctive repeated song and symbolic association with renewal and resilience. This watercolour reflects post-war Britainโs renewed interest in nature and conservation, situating the work firmly within the mid-century British natural-history tradition that bridged scientific illustration and fine art for the domestic interior.
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Signed / Attribution โ๏ธ
Monogrammed โCTโ in the lower margin. The mark, palette and handling are consistent with authenticated mid-century works by Tunnicliffe. Original auction and exhibition labels are present on the verso. Independent attribution or condition reports can be arranged upon request.
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Framing & Presentation ๐ชต
Presented in a sympathetic mid-century solid-wood frame, likely oak, with a cream double mount and subtle line inlay. Professionally backed and secured, retaining original auction and exhibition labels to the reverse. The presentation is period-appropriate and ready to hang in domestic, gallery or institutional settings.
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Provenance & Exhibition History ๐
The work benefits from a clear and well-documented provenance. Early private ownership in Lancashire, followed by sale at Rogers Jones & Co, The Welsh Sale, Cardiff (Lot 224). Subsequently exhibited at the Lord Hill Museum, Shropshire (January 2026). Curated and marketed by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD. Original auction tagging and verso labels accompany the work and will be supplied with the sale.
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Condition Report ๐
The watercolour is in excellent vintage condition. No active foxing, staining or pigment loss observed; colours remain fresh and stable. The mount and glazing are secure, and the frame shows only light, age-appropriate wear consistent with period use. No immediate conservation is required. For long-term institutional display, museum-grade UV-filtering glazing and controlled environmental conditions are recommended.
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Dimensionsย ๐
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Painting (visible): 25 cm high ร 22 cm wide
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Framed size: 46 cm high ร 40 cm wide ร 1.5 cm deep
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Why Youโll Love It โ
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Museum-quality workmanship by a Royal Academician at the height of his career
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Auction and exhibition provenance, enhancing collectability and resale confidence
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Period-appropriate framing, ready for immediate display
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Broad appeal to collectors, designers, galleries, museums, and film/TV production buyers
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Sound long-term acquisition within a stable and established international market
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