King William of Orange painting going under the hammer at Belfast auction
The portrait taken from the Battle of the Boyne is expected to fetch up to £40,000
Last updated 22nd Jan 2024
A historical portrait of King William of Orange is up for sale.
The 17th century portrait will go under the hammer at Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast tomorrow (Tuesday).
It is expected to attract a high level of interest in Northern Ireland where the anniversary of the Protestant monarch's victory over Catholic King James II at the Boyne in 1690 is marked every year by the Orange Order with large parades.
The portrait shows William of Orange on horseback during the Battle of the Boyne.
Following analysis by a specialist in English baroque painting at Tate Britain, the painting which dates from approximately 1693 has been attributed to Anglo-Dutch painter Jan Wyck in collaboration with Dutch portrait painter Constantijn Netscher.
Bloomfield Auctions said Tate Britain consulted with experts at the RKD, the Dutch art history institute in The Hague, and it is believed the two artists worked together to create the picture - Wyck painting the battle and rearing grey horse and Constantijn Netscher doing the head of William III.
The painting is described as consistent with a late British baroque style and the setting is the Battle of the Boyne which took place on July 1 1690 between the forces of the deposed James II and William III, the husband of Queen Mary II.
Sotheby's London also researched the history of the painting and believe it was produced in 1693, three years after the battle and is part of an enthusiastic celebration of the King by his Protestant subjects.
It is described as a detailed picture by a highly competent horse painter with the collaboration of a good portrait artist.
Bloomfield Auctions will also be selling an American sterling silver coffee/tea service by Gorham.
It belonged to the American socialite Esther McCreery in her 1920/30s heyday living in Hillsboro, California.
The auction house believes the tea service would have been used when Ms McCreery entertained Bob & Delores Hope, Daniel Boon and Charlie Chaplin among others.
It travelled with her when she was in the Bahamas, Australia and other parts of the world, and was used when entertaining the young Prince Philip when he attended a polo match in the US.
Bloomfield Auctions' managing director Karl Bennett said they expect a lot of interest in the sale.
"We are excited to be able to bring to auction this historical painting of King William at the Battle of the Boyne and are expecting a good deal of interest," he said.
"The painting is a very attractive item and will hopefully appeal to a wide range of groups, both locally and further afield.
"Although the painting is indistinctly signed and partially dated, from investigations and the Tate Britain and Sotheby's analysis, we are confident it was painted by Jan Wyck and Constantijn Netscher circa 1693, and will make a great collector's piece."
The oil painting has an estimated value of £30,000 to £40,000.
Visit www.bloomfieldauctions.co.uk for more information.