Lord Palmerston Folk Art Ink Drawing Portrait and Penmanship Very Rare Item C 1850

This is an absolute show stopper. It is the perfect, unique, artwork for anyone who loves naïve folk art, British history, in particular political history! This is a fantastic example of English folk art. The ink drawing and script is on satinised cotton. This penmanship curio was produced in England during the 19^th century, circa 1850. The ink drawing features a hand drawn portrait of Lord Palmerston surrounded by a floral wreath design. The text beneath the portrait reads:

‘The Right Honourable Henry John Temple, Viscount, Lord Palmerston. Design by John Pickard On Satin Cloth. Dedicated To Mr & Mrs Lake, As A Relic And Mark Of Respect.’ 

Lord Palmerston holds in his hand a hand written letter which extols the importance of clear handwriting and official communication. In fact Lord Palmerston was a stickler for good legible handwriting and communication.  He frequently issued detailed complaints regarding illegible handwriting, weak syntax, sloppy style, poor punctuation, faint ink, and worn-out pen-nibs! The tiny writing on the letter he holds reads:

“Gentlemen, The Pen is an instrument of paramount importance for developing the greatness of the mind. It highly distinguishes its possessors from millions of the human race – Palmerston”

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (b 1784 – d 1865), known as Lord Palmerston, was an Anglo-Irish nobleman and statesman who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1855 to 1858 and from 1859 to his death in 1865. A member of the Tory, Whig and Liberal parties, Palmerston was also the first Liberal prime minister. An ideologue of free trade and a major sponsor of the Opium Wars against the Chinese Empire and the war against Egypt, he dominated British foreign policy from 1830 to 1865 when Britain stood at the height of its imperial power. He and Queen Victoria were notoriously at loggerheads when it came to foreign policy, known for his "gunboat diplomacy". Palmerston was a very spirited, opinionated, and at times rather abrupt character who wasn't shy in undermining the monarch as he often leaked information to the press!

This is a rare example of 19^th century English folk art, a characterful piece with an important subject matter. The textile artwork is housed behind its original glass in its original bird’s eye maple veneer frame complete with its original backing board.

Measuring: Frame width 12 ½ inch (32 cm) by height 15 ¼ inch (38.5 cm). Aperture width 8 ½ inch (22 cm) by height 11 inch (28 cm).

Condition: Some minor age-related toning to satin. A few minor tears to top section, perfectly stable. Light surface wear to frame commensurate with age.

Item ID:16819