Lot 299: A Collection of Four British School Watercolours by E. Abley, T. Hunter, and Others
A collection of four watercolours on paper, comprising two marine scenes and two coastal landscapes from the late 19th or early 20th-century British school. The collection includes a large horizontal work by E. Abley depicting multiple sailing vessels at harbour during twilight with seagulls in the foreground. A smaller study signed with the monogram H. L. depicts a single boat navigating a heavy swell. A coastal landscape signed T. Hunter presents an atmospheric scene of waves crashing against a pier under a grey sky. The final work is an unsigned topographical view of a coastal sea stack and pebble beach. The works are housed in a variety of gilt-wood and plain wooden frames with gold, blue, and plain card mounts. Visible markings include the signature E. Abley in the lower right-hand corner of the harbour scene, the initials H. L. in the lower right-hand corner of the sailboat study, and the signature T. Hunter along the right-hand edge of the pier scene.
Condition report:
All four works show evidence of age-related paper toning and yellowing. Minor fading is present, most notably in the work by T. Hunter. Significant acid-discolouration and dark brown mat burn are visible on the mounts for the H. L. sailboat study and the T. Hunter pier scene. The gold-painted mount on the E. Abley work shows light surface marking. The frames exhibit general wear consistent with age, including minor losses to the gilt and gesso on the ornate frame and surface scratches and scuffs on the wooden frames. Surface dust and light grime are present under the glass of several pieces.
Share this lot: