About Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® is an international fine art dealer and online gallery specialising in British and European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
Established in 2005 and led by directors Michael and Victoria, the firm brings over two decades of experience in sourcing, evaluating and placing historically significant works with private collectors, galleries, interior designers and institutions worldwide.
As elected members of the Fine Art Trade Guild, our work is grounded in connoisseurship, academic research and rigorous standards of authenticity. Every work we present is subject to careful vetting and offered with full transparency regarding condition and provenance.
Private Online Gallery
Virtual Viewings by Appointment
We operate exclusively online, offering private one-to-one virtual viewings to discuss condition, scale and provenance in detail. High-resolution images and comprehensive condition reports are available upon request, ensuring complete confidence prior to acquisition.
Areas of Specialisation
Fine Art & Works of Art (17th–21st Century)
British and European oil paintings, watercolours and mixed media
Portraiture, marine and nautical subjects
Animal, hunting and sporting scenes
Landscapes, cityscapes and genre compositions
Sculpture and three-dimensional works
Decorative Arts
Period furniture and interior pieces
Bronzes, carvings and objets d’art
Hallmarked silver, ceramics and glassware
Collectible works spanning the 18th–20th centuries
Each piece is selected with careful attention to historical context, condition and aesthetic quality, curated for both established collectors and emerging buyers.
Sustainability & Enduring Craftsmanship
We recognise the inherent sustainability of historic works of art and decorative arts. These pieces require no new materials while preserving craftsmanship, cultural heritage and artistic legacy. They integrate seamlessly into both traditional and contemporary interiors, offering individuality and permanence.
Payments & Shipping
Payments
Card payments accepted online up to £5,000
Amounts exceeding £5,000 payable by bank transfer
Proforma invoices available upon request
Shipping
UK and worldwide shipping available (quotation on request)
All items professionally packed, fully insured and shipped with tracked delivery
Customs & International Orders
All international shipments are handled on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis. Import duties, VAT and customs clearance are the responsibility of the buyer.
Clients within the European Union and United States are advised to consult local customs authorities regarding applicable import procedures. If a shipment is refused and returned, return shipping costs will be deducted from any refund.
Company Information
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
71–75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden
London WC2H 9JQ
United Kingdom
Registered in England & Wales
Company No. 15666518
GB VAT No. 466128775
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® is a registered United Kingdom trade mark (UK00004303420).

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

Address
71-75 Shelton Street
London
Greater London
United Kingdom
WC2H 9JQ
Opening times
By appointment only
Mobile
+447494 763382
Historic Oil Painting Mrs Sarah Siddons Née Kemble After Thomas Gainsborough
REF: LA536057
£12,500
€14,575
$16,812
LoveAntiques Dealersince Mar 2017Approved item549 sales by dealerFree Delivery
LoveAntiques Dealersince Mar 2017Approved item549 sales by dealerFree Delivery
Description
🎭 19th-Century Oil Portrait of Welsh Tragedienne Sarah Siddons After Gainsborough
Attributed to the English School | Circa 1840 | Oil on Mill'd board
🖼️ The Subject
A fine 19th-century oil portrait of Sarah Siddons (née Kemble, 1755–1831), the iconic tragedienne of the Georgian stage. Painted circa 1840, this work pays homage to Thomas Gainsborough’s celebrated 1785 portrait, offering a masterful English School interpretation that combines Georgian elegance with early Victorian sensibilities.
🎨 Composition & Style
Presented seated and turned slightly to the left, Siddons exudes refined dignity against a moody, reddish-brown backdrop. She wears a vivid blue-striped gown beneath a yellow mantle, crowned with a distinctive black beaver hat adorned with ostrich plumes. A fox-fur muff rests in her lap, adding tactile richness to the composition.
The artist employs a restrained yet regal palette of deep cerulean, muted ochres, and warm crimson shadows. Confident brushwork in the drapery contrasts beautifully with the subtle blending of Siddons’ luminous skin, capturing the essence of Grand Manner portraiture—prioritising poise, atmosphere, and presence over photographic realism.
👑 About Sarah Siddons
A towering figure in 18th-century British theatre, Sarah Siddons rose to fame for her powerful interpretations of tragic heroines—most notably Lady Macbeth. Her presence captivated audiences from London to the royal courts, and her legacy as a symbol of virtue, intellect, and dramatic excellence endures. This portrait, depicting Siddons as herself rather than in costume, reflects the grace and intellect that defined her off-stage persona.
🖌️ Attribution & Technique
Unsigned but confidently attributed to the English School, this painting reflects a sophisticated 19th-century reinterpretation of Gainsborough’s original. Rather than a strict replica, the artist introduces personal flair and 19th-century texture, capturing the sitter with painterly depth and academic finesse.
🖼️ Framing
Elegantly presented in a newly fitted Larson-Juhl frame, gold-foiled with sculpted reserve profile. Protected with museum-grade AR70 glass, offering excellent clarity and UV protection—ready for immediate display.
Frame Dimensions: 41 cm (H) x 34 cm (W) x 2 cm (D)
Professionally framed, ready to hang.
📜 Provenance
Formerly part of a Private Collection
Labelled by GEO Rowney & Co., Rathbone Place, London
Acquired from Northern Shire Antiques & Fine Art
Curated by the Cheshire Antiques Consultant
Exhibited at Lord Hill Museum, a notable venue for historic British portraiture
💚 Why Collect This Piece?
✔ Historic Elegance – A 19th-century tribute to a Gainsborough masterpiece
✔ Legendary Sitter – Celebrates one of Britain’s most revered actresses
✔ Artistic Merit – Balanced tones, expressive brushwork, and a rich theatrical mood
✔ Gallery-Ready – Beautifully framed and museum-protected
✔ Proven Collection – Exhibited and curated by heritage specialists
✔ Investment-Worthy – A piece with art historical and cultural significance
measurements
Height:
41 cm
Width:
34 cm
Depth:
2 cm
declaration
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD has clarified that the Historic Oil Painting Mrs Sarah Siddons Née Kemble After Thomas Gainsborough (LA536057) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being 1840
condition
🩻 Condition Report
Structurally sound with age-consistent craquelure and light foxing. Minor, well-executed touch-ups along the background edges. The sitter’s features remain clear and beautifully preserved. Surface texture is cohesive and visually rich.
additional info
Period:
Category:
Material:
Date of Manufacture:
1840
location
This Historic Oil Painting Mrs Sarah Siddons Née Kemble After Thomas Gainsborough is located in Greater London, United Kingdom
Share:
Ask a question
Please note,
This dealer does not accept instant online payment for this item.
To buy this item please email the dealer using the enquiry form below.
A selection of items from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD has 347 items available.19th Century Oil Painting Architectural Historic Arundel Castle After James Canter
£ 4,000
€4,664$5,380
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Oil Painting Stonehenge After Jasper Francis Cropsey
£ 5,000
€5,830$6,725
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Sarah Louisa Kilpack c.1880 Signed Oil Painting La Corbière Lighthouse, Jersey with Shipwreck
£ 6,500
€7,579$8,742
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Historic Marine Oil Painting Naval Battle Quiberon Bay November 20th 1759 by John Lewis Chapman
£ 10,000
€11,660$13,450
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD