40 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
cabinet holds things of delight. From hunting horns, stirrup cups,
sculptures, miniatures, to huge original oil paintings adorning the
walls, or tiny comedic hunting scenes carved in wood. Anything
you could dream of is there. Ruby fox eyes wink at you from stock
pins, and hunting hounds in full cry stream across the dining room
table in the form of menu holders. Even the 1954 Ascot Racing
Pass of Lady Munnings (wife of the late and lauded artist Sir Alfred
J. Munnings) sits in a cabinet, with the ink inscription, written in
fountain pen, barely faded by the years.
Lindsey’s tremendous sense of humour is refected in many
of the other items. Cecil Aldin is a particular favourite, and her
knowledge of him and his work is extensive. There are examples
of his quirkier pieces of work in the form of coasters, plates, bowls,
as well as the beautiful paintings that he is so well known for;
The South Berks Hounds streaming across the country, with
each individual character clearly recognizable because of certain
characteristics that Aldin so cleverly portrayed after days of
studying them in the feld. He sketched for hours from horseback
when hunting, and committed to memory the idiosyncrasies of his
fellow followers.
Lindsey has an eye for rare and sought after pieces, yet also
manages to cater to enthusiasts who want to buy her treasures
for practical purposes. Hunting fasks, boot pulls, stock pins,
exquisite Essex crystals, it can all be found and if it is not already
in the Gallery, Lindsey will fnd it for you via her huge network of
contacts in the art world. Victoria Gallery also boasts a bespoke
service whereby new leather cases can be made to ft any article,
hand stitched by a lady who according to Lindsey, “Is quite simply
unrivalled in the quality of her work.”
Much of Lindsey’s eye for a good piece stems from her practical
working anatomical knowledge of the horse. If a sculpture is not
right, it will not be bought. This knowledge was garnered during
her 20’s and 30’s when she worked extensively with horses on a
practical level, carving out a niche in the royal county of Berkshire.
Lindsey’s husband was Simon Knapp, veterinary surgeon
to HRH The Queen, who then and today is involved with Her
Majesty’s horses in the Royal Mews, Racing Polo and Stud Work.
Equally, her knowledge of the canine form and her love of our
faithful four legged friends is refected in the more humorous
pieces that she delights in fnding.
When you enter the treasure cave that is the gallery you
have to expect to be accompanied by a very handsome and
affectionate Pointer named Roly and a small sidekick Terrier by
the name of Pepperpot and the inimitable Alan, Lindsey’s other
half, without whom, “The entire show would not be on the road.”
His swift repartee and repertoire of jokes lightens any day and his
humorous and vigorous presence adds to the delight of visiting
Victoria Sporting Art Gallery.
The price range of goods caters for anyone who appreciates
quality combined with history, from £60.00 (approximately $98)
upwards.
For further information please visit www.victoriagallery.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGalleryCheshire.
About the writer: Maria Wynne lives in the UK and has spent her entire
life with horses and her family background is steeped in them. She is a
proud (single) Mum of the an adorable 4 year old son named Theodore
Denman, who is named after the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner.
“Set Fair” -
A beautiful
watercolour
by Daniel
Crane.
The 1954 Ascot Racing Pass of Lady Munnings.
A limited
edition by
Cecil Aldin,
exclusive
to Victoria
Sporting
Gallery.
A piece
by Sally
Rutherford
called
Master’s
Favourite.
Treasures abound at the Victoria Sporting Gallery.
All photos by
Maria Wynne