Description

Title: Oil Portrait of King Charles II Wearing the Royal Garter After Sir Peter Lily

Description: Oil Portrait of King Charles II Wearing the Royal Garter After Sir Peter Lily

Oil Portrait of King Charles II Wearing the Royal Garter
English School, 19th century, circa 1850, after Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680)

A 19th-century masterpiece interpretation of Sir Peter Lely's iconic portrait of Charles II, reflecting the Victorian revival of royal imagery and enduring fascination with Britain's Restoration court.

Subject and Medium ??
A 19th-century oil portrait, circa 1850, depicting King Charles II in armour, incorporating elements associated with the Order of the Garter-an enduring symbol of royal authority and chivalric tradition.
Composition and Technique
The King is presented in a three-quarter orientation, his gaze outward and composed. He wears a full periwig, armour, and a white cravat, with a suspended insignia referencing the Order of the Garter.
The palette is subdued and tonal, dominated by deep browns, blacks, and warm undertones typical of 19th-century interpretations of earlier Old Master compositions. These darker passages allow the flesh tones and the luminous white cravat to stand forward, while restrained highlights across the armour create a sense of depth and form.
The handling reflects a later interpretation, with soft modelling in the face and broader, more economical treatment elsewhere. The sitter's expression conveys measured authority and calm restraint, consistent with idealised royal imagery.

About the Sitter
King Charles II (1630-1685) was born at St James's Palace, London, the eldest son of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. His early life was shaped by the English Civil War, culminating in his father's execution in 1649.
He spent years in exile across Europe and attempted to reclaim the throne, most notably at the Battle of Worcester (1651). Following defeat, he famously escaped capture before remaining abroad until the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.
His reign saw the revival of court culture, the arts, and royal patronage, alongside major events such as the Great Plague and Great Fire of London. As Sovereign of the Order of the Garter, he embodied continuity of royal and chivalric tradition. Though he left no legitimate heirs, his acknowledged descendants became prominent within the British aristocracy.

Historical Significance
In the 19th century, there was renewed interest in Britain's royal past. Paintings such as this reflect that revival, drawing on established 17th-century portrait types and reinterpreting them for Victorian collectors.
This work belongs to that tradition, preserving the visual language of the Restoration court while reflecting the collecting tastes of the mid-19th century.

About the Artist
Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) was the principal court painter to Charles II and a defining figure in British portraiture. His compositions established a widely recognised model for royal imagery, reproduced by his studio and later artists.
This painting, executed circa 1850, follows one of those established types and should be understood as a later interpretation after Lely, reflecting the continued appreciation of his compositions in Victorian Britain.
Signed
Unsigned, as is typical for works of this type and period.

Size
Canvas: 62cm High × 52 cm Width
Framed: 71.5 High × 61 cm Width × 2 cm Depth
Portrait format

Framed ??
Presented in a the original frame which has been recently overpainted in gold, giving it a uniform and refreshed appearance. The frame shows underlying wear, small losses, and surface irregularities consistent with age beneath the later finish, but remains structurally sound and suitable for display.

Provenance
Private Collection of Christopher and Susan (Sally) Kevill-Davies (UK), bearing collection label verso (inventory no. 139);
subsequently in the UK art trade
Notable auction house Woolley and Wallis, Salisbury, in the Old Masters 2026;
curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Including being loaned out to the Shropshire-based dealership "Famous Lord Hill Museum".

Collector Context
The Kevill-Davies Collection represents a privately assembled group of antiques and works of art reflecting an interest in early English material culture. Christopher Charles Kevill-Davies is associated with the study of historic English furniture and comes from an established family with historical ties to Norfolk.
Sally Kevill-Davies is a published author on historical collectibles. The collection label and handwritten inventory number ("139") indicate that the painting formed part of a structured private collection.

Why You'll Love It
Recognisable Royal Subject - A widely known image of Charles II with strong historical associations.
Established Portrait Type - Based on compositions linked to Sir Peter Lely's influential court imagery.
19th-Century Historical Revival - Reflects Victorian interest in Britain's royal past.
Authentic Character - Retains natural surface variation and tonal depth consistent with age.
Collector Provenance - From a named private UK collection.
Fresh to Market - Recently offered via Woolley and Wallis (2026).
Decorative Presence - Strong visual impact for traditional interiors.

Condition Report
The painting is in stable, displayable condition. The canvas is supported on a stretcher and appears structurally sound. The surface shows age-related wear, including areas of thinning, minor losses, and historic retouching, primarily in darker passages. Fine craquelure is present throughout. The varnish appears slightly dulled and uneven; a light clean may improve clarity. The face and central features remain comparatively well preserved.
The frame has been recently overpainted in gold, with visible signs of underlying wear, small losses, and surface inconsistencies beneath the later finish, though it remains stable and fit for display.

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Reserve: $6,800.00

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Condition

Used

Buyer's Premium

20%

Oil Portrait of King Charles II Wearing the Royal Garter After Sir Peter Lily

Name: Oil Portrait of King Charles II Wearing the Royal Garter After Sir Peter Lily
SKU: 235701570
Price: 3400 USD
Availability: InStock