Description

Title: Oil Masterpiece Persian Kittens Playing Tea Party By Agnes Augusta Talboys

Description: Masterpiece Painting: Persian Kittens Playing Tea Party Signed by Agnes Augusta Talboys RWA (British, 1863–1940) Circa 1910

Subject & Medium Oil on canvas. Title: Persian Kittens Playing Tea Party
A refined and charming animal painting depicting six Persian kittens gathered around an elegant tea service, combining playful narrative with accomplished Edwardian technique (c.1910).

Composition & Technique
The composition unfolds across a green-draped tabletop, where six Persian kittens are arranged in a carefully balanced and engaging group. On the left, two grey kittens playfully tussle within a wicker basket, their movement offset by a third kitten that pauses and looks outward—directly engaging the viewer. At centre, a white kitten reclines inquisitively beside a finely rendered cup and saucer, while another white kitten sits upright behind, adding vertical emphasis and depth. To the right, a grey kitten peeks coyly from behind the teapot, its tilted head providing a focal point of irresistible charm.
Talboys’ brushwork is soft yet confident, particularly in the rendering of fur, where layered strokes and subtle tonal transitions create convincing volume and texture. The porcelain tea service is handled with greater precision, introducing crisp edges and decorative detail that contrast beautifully with the kittens’ plush coats.
Colour is a major strength here: luminous silvery greys and soft whites glow against a darker, atmospheric background, anchored by the rich green tablecloth and enlivened by blue-and-white porcelain with delicate warm floral accents—highlights that sparkle without overpowering the scene.

Historical Significance
This work dates from Talboys’ most admired Edwardian period, when her Persian cat paintings achieved their greatest refinement and popularity. Persian cats were highly fashionable in Britain at the turn of the 20th century, associated with taste and domestic elegance. Paintings such as this reflect the era’s affection for companion animals and the elevation of animal painting into a respected and collectible genre.
The canvas retains the original Winsor & Newton, London supplier’s stamp verso, confirming the use of professional-grade materials and supporting an early 20th-century execution.

About the Artist
Agnes Augusta Talboys RWA was born in Bristol in 1863 and became one of Britain’s most accomplished painters of cats and kittens. Closely associated with the Royal West of England Academy (RWA), she exhibited and built a reputation for combining technical skill with characterful observation.
Talboys flourished from the late Victorian through the Edwardian era, producing her most desirable works before 1920. Today, her paintings remain highly sought after by collectors, and her Persian cat compositions have proven international market appeal.

Signed
Signed by Agnes Augusta Talboys RWA, executed in a confident, period-consistent hand that sits naturally within the painted surface. The presence of an original artist’s signature strengthens attribution and enhances collector desirability—particularly for Talboys’ most sought-after Persian kitten subjects from the Edwardian period (c.1910).

Dimensions Framed: 64 High × 89.5 cm Width Depth: 4 cm
Canvas: 46.5 × 73 cm

Framed
Presented in a recently fitted Larson Juhl LJS Prague moulded decorative gilt wood frame. The frame complements the painting’s period character and provides excellent wall presence for sophisticated interiors.

Provenance
Painted on the artist’s original Winsor & Newton, London, prepared canvas
Private collection
Clevedon Salerooms, Bristol, Interiors Sale, January 2025
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

Why You’ll Love It
Prime Talboys subject from her most sought-after early 20th-century period
Elegant colour harmony: silvery greys, soft whites, rich greens, and refined porcelain blues
Strong painterly quality, especially the plush fur textures and atmospheric depth
Period authenticity, confirmed by the original Winsor & Newton canvas stamp
Excellent display scale, balanced and engaging—charming yet sophisticated
Proven collector appeal, with sustained international demand for Talboys’ Persian cat works

Condition Report
Fine used condition. The original unlined canvas shows age-related foxing, staining, and craquelure consistent with period and materials. Minor historic touch-ups are present in background areas. The paint surface remains stable and visually pleasing. The frame is recent, with small handmade imperfections commensurate with its craftsmanship.

Reserve: $7,088.00

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Condition

Used

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15%