Large 19th Century Oil Painting Clipper Jute Ship Slieve Roe Off Calcutta India





Click image to enlarge



Description


Large Victorian Marine Oil Painting "The Jute Clipper Slieve Roe at Sea" Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910)

Subject & Medium
An exceptional and historically important late Victorian marine oil on canvas depicting the celebrated British three-masted iron full-rigged jute clipper Slieve Roe under full sail during her outbound voyage off the coast of Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.
Shown in perfect starboard profile sailing confidently towards the right, the magnificent vessel powers through lively rolling seas beneath an expansive sky filled with softly illuminated blue-grey clouds. Every aspect of the ship has been executed with remarkable precision, from the towering spread of canvas sails and intricate standing and running rigging to the sailor figures visible upon the deck carrying out their duties.
The vessel's name, "Slieve Roe", is clearly painted upon the bow. The British Red Ensign flies proudly from the stern, whilst six additional signal and ensign flags are hoisted from the masts, bringing colour, authenticity and movement to the composition. Lifeboats remain secured amidships, and silhouettes of other sailing vessels can be seen upon the distant horizon, enhancing the sense of scale and the bustling maritime activity surrounding the Port of Calcutta during the height of the British Empire.
Executed in oil on canvas during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, this is an outstanding portrait of one of Britain's finest merchant sailing ships and a remarkable survival from the great age of international sail.

Composition & Technique
The composition is masterfully balanced, allowing the magnificent clipper to dominate the foreground whilst remaining harmoniously integrated within its maritime setting.
The artist demonstrates exceptional technical skill through the accurate rendering of the vessel's spars, yards, standing and running rigging, hull construction and extensive sail plan. Every rope and sail has been carefully observed, reflecting the specialist knowledge associated with the finest nineteenth-century marine painters.
The sea itself is beautifully realised with confident layered brushwork creating convincing movement across dark green-blue waters capped with white foam. Above, an expansive cloud-filled sky painted in subtle tones of blue, grey and cream allows light to fall naturally across the sails, enhancing their volume and realism.
The restrained colour palette of cool blues, olive greens, warm ivory sails and deep black hull is elegantly punctuated by vivid crimson ensigns, producing a painting that possesses historical exceptional decorative appeal.

About the Artist
This work is attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910), one of the most respected Chinese marine painters active during the late nineteenth century.
Originally from Hong Kong, Lai Fong later established himself in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he became renowned as one of the city's foremost pier-head artists. Working from the busy docks, he specialised in recording merchant vessels arriving and departing one of the British Empire's most important commercial ports.
His paintings are admired for their remarkable nautical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail, particularly his highly accomplished depictions of sailing ships, clippers and barques. Comparable works are represented in important maritime collections including the Merseyside Maritime Museum, whilst examples have appeared at leading international auction houses including Christie's and Bonhams.

The Ship – Slieve Roe
The magnificent Slieve Roe was one of the last and finest examples of the great British iron full-rigged merchant sailing ships constructed during the golden age of ocean commerce. Built by the world-renowned Harland & Wolff Shipyard, Belfast, she was launched in 1878 for the famous Sinclair fleet owned by James Sinclair of Tyrone, Ulster.
Registered at Liverpool under Official Number 78862, the vessel measured approximately 257 feet (78.3 metres) in length, carried 1,749 gross tons (1,668 net) and possessed a beam of 38½ feet, making her one of the largest and most efficient long-distance sailing merchant ships of her generation.
Designed as a three-masted iron full-rigged jute clipper, Slieve Roe was purpose-built for the demanding trade routes linking Britain with India, Australia and South America. She formed part of the celebrated trio of Sinclair "Slieve" colonial clippers and was widely regarded by contemporaries as the finest of the three sisters ever launched from Harland & Wolff's Belfast yard.

The vessel became particularly associated with the lucrative Calcutta jute trade, carrying manufactured goods from Britain before returning with valuable cargoes of raw jute, tea and other commodities from the Indian subcontinent. Her elegant hull design, enormous sail area and advanced iron construction enabled her to maintain exceptional average speeds across the world's great trade routes.
Slieve Roe quickly established an enviable reputation amongst mariners. During an outward voyage to Calcutta in 1883, she covered an astonishing 1,500 miles in only five days, maintaining an average of 16 knots for an uninterrupted period of 23½ hours, an extraordinary achievement for a commercial sailing vessel of the period.
Towards the close of the nineteenth century she was sold to Simpson Bros., where her distinguished career continued. Under their ownership she established a 28-day record passage between Melbourne and Callao (Chile), further cementing her reputation as one of the fastest and most successful deep-water merchant sailing ships of her era.
After more than three decades of distinguished service traversing the world's great trade routes, Slieve Roe remained in commission until 1910, when she was finally broken up, bringing to an end the career of one of Britain's most celebrated colonial clippers.
Today she remains an important vessel in British maritime history and is well documented within historical shipping records, maritime archives and specialist literature devoted to the great age of sail.

Signature
Unsigned.
Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910).

Frame
Presented in an attractive later traditional gilt and ebony moulded frame which complements the Victorian marine subject beautifully.
Fitted with hanging cord to the reverse and ready for immediate wall display.

Dimensions
Frame
Width: 108 cm
Height: 77.5 cm
Depth: 6.5 cm
Canvas
Approximately 90 cm wide × 59 cm high

Provenance
Private Collection.
Origin: India.
Previously sold through Cheffins, Cambridge, 2023, Lot 64, where the painting was catalogued as "Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910), The Jute Clipper Slieve Roe at Sea." The auction catalogue included historical observations relating to both the vessel and the attributed artist.
Accompanied by a historical biography and research label affixed verso detailing the history of the ship together with information relating to the attributed artist.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, with additional provenance research, historical interpretation, catalogue preparation and attribution analysis undertaken prior to offering the work for sale.
Research references consulted include:
Royal Museums Greenwich
Shipstamps
Harland & Wolff historical shipbuilding records
National Library of Australia
Christie's
Bonhams
Historical shipping archives and published maritime reference works
Painted in India during the late Victorian period, circa 1878–1900, when Calcutta was one of the British Empire's principal maritime trading ports and an important centre for specialist marine painters documenting merchant vessels embarking upon long-distance ocean voyages.

Why You'll Love It
Impressive large-scale Victorian marine painting with exceptional wall presence.
Attributed to the celebrated Chinese marine painter Lai Fong.
Quality portrait of the famous Harland & Wolff-built clipper Slieve Roe.
Richly documented maritime history supported by accompanying provenance research.
Beautifully detailed depiction of nineteenth-century sailing technology and rigging.
Wonderful combination of British maritime heritage and colonial Indian artistic history.
An outstanding acquisition for collectors of marine art, shipping history and Victorian paintings.
Ready to hang and enjoy immediately.

Condition Report
Offered in charming antique condition consistent with age.
The painting displays a stable network of various age-related craquelure across the painted surface together with scattered foxing, stretcher marks and evidence of historic age. The canvas has been professionally reinforced around the perimeter with strip cotton lining. There are scattered historic areas of sympathetic overpainting together with isolated areas of paint loss and restoration visible under close inspection. The varnish has naturally mellowed over time and the painting would benefit from a sympathetic professional clean should the next owner wish to further enhance its presentation.
The later gilt and ebony frame displays general age-related wear including minor chips, scuffs, stains and small losses commensurate with age and use, yet continues to complement the artwork beautifully.
Overall, the painting presents exceptionally well and possesses outstanding decorative and historical appeal.

Attribution & Research Notice

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional non-guaranteeed opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published references and our experience within the fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of attribution. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
Buyers are encouraged to consider this catalogue entry as part of the artwork's ongoing research history rather than as a warranty of authorship, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation.

Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe global delivery.
Explore our eBay shop gallery Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD to discover more hand-picked treasures.
Questions? Please message us anytime.






Reserve: $8,640.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Shipping rates are determined by destination

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT.

Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from United Kingdom

Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Jasper52 specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Jasper52 within 5 days of receiving the item.