edwardian equestrian watercolour — pretty polly, prize-winning grey show horse mare with groom 1908

Edwardian Equestrian Watercolour — Pretty Polly, Prize-Winning Grey Show Horse Mare with Groom, 22 August 1908
By John Edwin Noble (1876–1941)
Subject & Medium
An original Edwardian framed watercolour on paper by John Edwin Noble depicting Pretty Polly, a celebrated grey show horse mare who won multiple accolades at the Hertfordshire Show in 1908. The mare is proudly shown adorned with two rosettes — red (1st prize) and blue (2nd prize) — visual tokens of her success across classes.
Beside her stands her groom, dressed in authentic Edwardian equestrian attire: breeches, buttoned gaiters, sturdy boots, a dark lounge jacket, waistcoat, and flat cap. Research suggests he may have connections with the Smith-Dorrien family of Berkhamsted, prominent landowners and equestrian patrons of the era.
The painting’s full inscribed title, “Pretty Polly, First Place Prize Winning Champion Grey Mare Show Horse with Groom Up of Smith-Dorriens of Berkhamsted, 22 August 1908,” firmly situates it within Edwardian show culture.
The 1908 Hertfordshire County Show
The annual Horse Show of 1908 was a highlight of the county’s social and sporting calendar, combining agricultural classes (draught horses, cattle, and livestock) with equestrian competitions for riding horses, hunters, ponies, and hacks. Families such as the Smith-Dorrien clan of Berkhamsted, active in the Hertfordshire Hunt and Old Berkeley Hunt, were regular competitors.
In this context, Pretty Polly’s multiple prize wins made her a celebrated exhibit — her achievements deemed worthy of commemoration in Noble’s art.
Composition & Technique
Noble presents Pretty Polly in a dignified three-quarter pose, her silvery-grey coat depicted through layered translucent washes enriched with warm ochres and subtle sepias. The vivid red and blue rosettes form a striking focal point against her pale coat, emphasising her triumphs.
The groom — perhaps estate staff of the Smith-Dorriens — is depicted in earthy tones, serving as a grounding counterpoint to the horse’s luminosity. His upright stance mirrors the mare’s composure, completing a balanced composition.
Noble’s brushwork blends precision with painterly expression: delicate strokes define musculature and detail, while broader washes evoke atmosphere and immediacy. The work exemplifies both his academic training and Edwardian sensibility, elevating the piece beyond sporting portraiture.
Signed
Signed and dated lower right: “J.E. Noble, 22/VIII/08.”
About the Artist
John Edwin Noble (1876–1941), son of the sporting painter John Sargent Noble, trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, Lambeth School of Art, and the Royal Academy Schools. He exhibited widely between 1898 and 1930, including at the Royal Academy, the Royal Scottish Academy, and the Fine Art Society.
During the First World War, Noble served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and was appointed Official War Artist, producing poignant studies of horses and mules in wartime service. He later taught animal drawing at Calderon’s School of Animal Painting and lectured at the Central and Camberwell Schools of Arts and Crafts.
His artistic career encompassed watercolours, illustrations, and poster designs, including commissions for London Underground in 1916. Today, his works are valued for their accuracy, sensitivity, and charm, with strong results in recent auctions.
Frame
The painting is presented in a newly fitted gold-leaf finish reverse-profile gilt moulded frame, with a fresh ivory-white mount and fine gold border. It is protected by museum-grade AR70 anti-reflective glass, providing both display clarity and UV protection. This professional conservation-grade presentation ensures long-term preservation and readiness for display in a collection or gallery.
Dimensions (Framed)
54 cm × 54 cm × 3 cm
Provenance
Culverhouse & Son, 91 & 93 High Street, Hemel Hempstead
Notable Dorset auction
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Exhibited at Middle Shire Museum
Why Collectors Will Value It
Rare dated equestrian watercolour with a named champion horse
Directly linked to the Hertfordshire County Show of 1908
Groom possibly associated with the Smith-Dorrien family of Berkhamsted
Signed by a recognised Edwardian equestrian painter
Excellent provenance with museum exhibition history
Presented in a museum-standard gilt frame with AR70 protective glazing
Perfect for collectors of sporting art, equestrian history, and Edwardian culture
Condition Report
Good condition overall. Colours remain bright and unfaded, with only light age-related toning to the paper. Recently conserved and reframed with a new mount and AR70 glazing, ensuring both clarity and preservation. The work is ready to hang and enjoy.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping available. Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe delivery.
Acquire a rare equestrian watercolour commemorating an Edwardian champion show horse — a work of art that blends history, heritage, and sporting pride.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: XUG7QNXFD

Maker/Artist:

John Edwin Noble

Materials:

Watercolour

Width (cm):

54

Height (cm):

54

Depth (cm):

3

Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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