A good quality piece showing a pair of 18th or 19th century sailing warships at anchor by moonlight in a nice ornate 'gilt / gilded' frame.

Size (W x H) : 340 x 390 mm (13.5 x 15.5 ins) approx. (frame)
Size (W x H) : 210 x 260 mm ( 8.25 x 10.25 ins) approx. (picture)
Weight : 1090 g (39 oz) approx.
Mounting : Canvas on board, Framed
Aspect : Portrait
Artist : unknown
Date : unknown
Medium : Oil on canvas (canvas is attached to board)

They appear to be at anchor although no anchor cables are visible. There are no wakes, sails are furled and foreground indicates an anchorage, night time sailing was unusual.

The nearer ship appears to be a 5th or 6th rate (Frigate) and may be a prize as on close inspection two flags can be discerned at the stern, the upright one appears to be pale blue with a gilded edge (French pre-revolutionary fleur de lis?) and the second seems to be unusually horizontal from the stern and is likely a red ensign. This suggests it is a captured British ship as the victors flag would always fly over the victims flag.

The further ship appears to be a 3rd rate (74-gun) or 4th rate (50-gun) and also appears to have a hint of blue at the mizzen suggesting an admirals pennant. It also has two flags at the stern, the superior possibly a red ensign and the lower appears black!


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