Edward Armfield 19th Century a Sharp Lookout Terriers Ratting Oil Painting

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Description

**Edward Armfield 19th Century A Sharp Lookout Terriers Ratting Oil Painting**

Signed British sporting and animal oil painting depicting three … Read more **Edward Armfield 19th Century A Sharp Lookout Terriers Ratting Oil Painting**

Signed British sporting and animal oil painting depicting three alert terriers within a rustic barn interior

**Highlights**

• Original 19th century British oil on canvas
• By Edward Armfield
• Signed “E. Armfield” lower left
• Historic inscription verso identifying the title and artist
• Titled *A Sharp Lookout*
• Depicts three alert working terriers watching for their quarry
• Classic Victorian ratting and sporting subject
• Atmospheric rustic barn or stable interior
• Rich palette of warm browns, ochres, creams and natural earth tones
• Strong narrative sense of anticipation
• Subject closely associated with Armfield’s documented oeuvre
• Comparative works recorded by major auction houses
• Presented within an antique decorative gilt frame
• Acquired at the Annual Buxton Decorative, Antiques & Fine Art Fair
• Curated and researched by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

**Introduction**

A characterful original 19th century British sporting and animal oil painting by Edward Armfield depicting three alert terriers gathered within the atmospheric interior of a rustic barn or stable.

Entitled *A Sharp Lookout*, the composition captures the dogs at a wonderfully observed moment of anticipation. Their bodies are poised and their attention is concentrated upon unseen quarry, creating an immediate sense of narrative tension.

Rather than portraying the terriers simply as domestic companions, Armfield presents them as working animals. Their differing poses, markings and expressions give each dog individual character while simultaneously directing the viewer towards the unseen focus of their attention.

The rustic interior provides an effective setting for the scene. Warm earthy browns and golden ochres contrast with the lighter markings of the terriers, while the surrounding shadows concentrate attention upon the dogs and heighten the sense of expectation.

**The Artist – Edward Armfield**

Edward Armfield was a British painter particularly associated with sporting, animal and canine subjects. His paintings frequently feature terriers, spaniels and other dogs placed within rural, stable and domestic settings.

Armfield developed a recognisable approach to canine painting in which careful observation of anatomy and expression is combined with an accessible narrative. His dogs are rarely static; instead, they watch, listen, hunt or react to events within the composition.

*A Sharp Lookout* belongs naturally within this tradition. The terriers are not incidental additions to the scene but the principal actors within it, their concentrated attention providing the painting with its narrative.

**Subject & Composition**

Ratting terriers formed part of the visual vocabulary of Victorian British sporting and rural life. Small, agile terriers were valued as practical working dogs, particularly around farms, barns and stables.

Here, Armfield transforms such an everyday rural activity into an engaging sporting picture. The viewer is invited to share the dogs’ anticipation without being shown the quarry itself.

This withholding of the object of their attention is particularly effective. The painting becomes a study of alertness and expectation rather than merely an illustration of a hunt.

**Signature & Historic Inscription**

The painting is signed “E. Armfield” lower left.

Of particular interest is the surviving handwritten inscription to the reverse identifying both the title and artist:

“a sharp lookout / by E Armfield”

The inscription provides an important historic connection between the physical painting, its traditional title and its attribution.

**Medium & Presentation**

Oil on canvas.

Presented within an antique decorative gilt frame whose warm gold tones complement the earthy palette of the composition.

**Dimensions**

Framed: approximately 51 cm high x 61 cm wide x 4 cm deep.

Approximately 20.1 inches high x 24 inches wide x 1.6 inches deep.

Landscape orientation.

**Colours**

Main colours: Brown, Gold, Cream.

Accent colours: Black, White, Ochre.

Provenance

Acquired at the Annual Buxton Decorative, Antiques & Fine Art Fair.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® collection and research archive.



Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The painting will be supplied with a Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution recording the artwork, artist attribution, title and relevant catalogue information held within our records.

Attribution and Research

The attribution to Edward Armfield is supported by the visible “E. Armfield” signature, the historic handwritten verso inscription identifying the work as *A Sharp Lookout* by E. Armfield, the subject matter, stylistic characteristics and comparative catalogue research.

Our attribution and catalogue description represent our professional dealer opinion based upon the physical evidence available and research undertaken.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Independent UK fine art dealer and registered Art Market Participant.

Member of the Fine Art Trade Guild.

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