Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry
Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry
Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry

Engraving - A Non Commissioned Officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry

SOLD
Tax included.

Overall: 68cm (27in) x 56cm (22.5in)

Mezzotint. 19th century coloured impression of the equestrian portrait of Robert Ashby, a non-commissioned officer of the London Volunteer Cavalry and Flying Artillery. Framed and glazed. 

Robert Ashby was one of many middle class artisan types who filled the ranks of the many Napoleonic era volunteer corps raised across Britain to counter the threat of French invasion and quell any internal dissent. The original oil equestrian portrait was a collaboration between Harry Ashby, brother of Robert, and the horse painter John Nost Sartorius (1759-1828) who painted Robert’s charger ‘Diamond’.

Read more 

Robert Ashby was also a painter but concerned himself mainly with running the family engraving business with his father. The engraving featuring Robert was published by the Ashby firm and dedicated to Sir Charles Price Bt, MP (1747-1818) to commemorate his term as Lord Mayor of London in 1803-1804. Price was Colonel of the London Volunteer Cavalry and an eminent banker. The engraving likely found a ready market amongst the volunteers, flattered the colonel and served as a patriotic reminder of the duty of the LVC&FA.