Large Victorian Marine Oil Painting of the Harland & Wolff Clipper Slieve Roe | Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910)

Details

Description

Large Victorian Marine Oil Painting of the Harland & Wolff Clipper Slieve Roe | Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910)

… Read more Large Victorian Marine Oil Painting of the Harland & Wolff Clipper Slieve Roe | Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910)

Subject & Medium

An impressive late 19th-century oil on canvas depicting the celebrated Harland & Wolff-built iron clipper Slieve Roe under full sail off Calcutta (Kolkata), India. The vessel is shown in starboard profile with every sail set, flying the British Red Ensign and signal flags beneath an expansive sky.

Attributed to the renowned Chinese marine painter Lai Fong, this is both an important maritime portrait and a striking decorative work from the great age of sail.

Composition & Technique

The artist combines meticulous nautical accuracy with an atmospheric seascape. Fine brushwork captures the intricate rigging, towering masts and billowing sails, while layered blues and greens create convincing movement across the sea. Distant ships on the horizon add depth and reinforce the importance of Calcutta as a major Victorian trading port.

About the Artist

Attributed to Lai Fong (Fl. 1870–1910), one of the leading Chinese marine painters working in Calcutta during the late Victorian period. His detailed ship portraits are admired for their accuracy and are represented in major maritime collections, with comparable works sold through leading international auction houses.

The Ship

Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, in 1878, Slieve Roe was one of the celebrated Sinclair "Slieve" colonial clippers. Designed for the Britain–India trade, she became renowned for her speed, carrying jute, tea and other cargoes between Calcutta and Britain. Today she remains a well-documented vessel in British maritime history.

Signature

Unsigned.

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

Frame

Presented in a later gilt and ebonised frame, ready to hang.

Dimensions

Frame: 108 cm W × 77.5 cm H × 6.5 cm D

Canvas: Approx. 90 cm W × 59 cm H

Provenance

Private Collection.

Previously sold at Cheffins, Cambridge, 2023 (Lot 64), catalogued as attributed to Lai Fong.

Curated and researched by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Why You'll Love It

• Large-scale Victorian marine painting with exceptional presence.

• Attributed to the noted marine artist Lai Fong.

• Depicts the famous Harland & Wolff clipper Slieve Roe.

• Strong provenance with documented auction history.

• Ideal for collectors of maritime art and traditional interiors.

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. See less