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Lot Essay
This most unusual painting incorporates a painted ornamental border surmounted by the armorial crest and motto of James Sinclair of Holy Hill, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, a principal in the firm of J. & T. Sinclair1. One of Belfast's largest sailing ship owners in the mid-nineteenth century, they were famous for their 'colonial clippers' which served the passenger trade to America, Australia, India and the West Indies.
In keeping with the topography of the central composition, the bulk of such passengers were often embarked at Liverpool. A typical Belfast 'colonial clipper', possibly the Slieve Donard, is depicted off the north Wirral coast identified by the Perch Rock fort and lighthouse. Visible on the left of the painting, these mark the entrance to the Mersey estuary. The same background and almost identical supporting features occur in at least two other paintings2 by the Liverpool marine artist, Duncan McFarlane.
In addition to this painting with its unique ornamental mount, Duncan McFarlane painted a portrait of another Sinclair owned ship, the Sardinia, displaying the same distinctive houseflag at the main masthead, and the English national flag at the foremast3.
Christie's are grateful to Sam Davidson for his notes accompanying this lot and for his attribution to Duncan McFarlane.
In keeping with the topography of the central composition, the bulk of such passengers were often embarked at Liverpool. A typical Belfast 'colonial clipper', possibly the Slieve Donard, is depicted off the north Wirral coast identified by the Perch Rock fort and lighthouse. Visible on the left of the painting, these mark the entrance to the Mersey estuary. The same background and almost identical supporting features occur in at least two other paintings2 by the Liverpool marine artist, Duncan McFarlane.
In addition to this painting with its unique ornamental mount, Duncan McFarlane painted a portrait of another Sinclair owned ship, the Sardinia, displaying the same distinctive houseflag at the main masthead, and the English national flag at the foremast3.
Christie's are grateful to Sam Davidson for his notes accompanying this lot and for his attribution to Duncan McFarlane.