Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

RICHARD WINTERTON TO AUCTION THE CELEBRATED BADMINTON SWEEP

A nineteenth century portrait of the celebrated ‘Badminton Sweep’ William Vizard has recently come to light and is being offered for auction on 1st November.

William Vizard of Chipping Sodbury was a chimney sweep by trade and had a keen interest in equestrian sport. In the mid nineteenth century he became a regular at the Badminton Hunt with The Duke of Beaufort’s hounds. He also rode with The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward.

Vizard was one of life’s characters and he was known to not being averse to climbing a chimney just before the meet. Sweeps of this period had to climb the chimneys they swept as the days of long stemmed brushes were unheard of. Vizard without fail always carried his brush and his sooty face with grinning white teeth made him look and ‘ride like the devil’ according to one old newspaper clipping.

The oil portrait discovered shows a blacked out Mr Vizard upon his horse holding his trademark brush. Dated 1872, the painting was executed by equestrian artist James Pawley (c.1817-after 1870).

The painting was brought into a valuation day held by Richard Winterton Auctioneers and is being offered as Lot 316 in the Fine Art Sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre on 1st November, (estimate £2,000-3,000). For further details contact Fine Arts Manager Adrian Rathbone on 01543 251081.

RICHARD WINTERTON AUCTIONEERS LTD – LICHFIELD
01543 251081 [email protected]
www.richardwinterton.co.uk