As a nation of animal lovers, it is no surprise that paintings of animals have long been a very popular area of collecting for the British Public. Be that pictures of our own domestic animals, or scenes that echo our nostalgia for the English Countryside and traditional sporting pursuits, we have adorned our houses with them for centuries.
The sale encompasses oil paintings, watercolours, prints and sculptures from the 17th Century to the present day, including a section of taxidermy fish and birds. The different categories within the sale ensure a varied content, from traditional 18th and 19th Century hunting and equestrian subjects to racing pictures, ornithological and wildlife art, also including paintings of dogs. For collectors, it provides an eclectic mix of styles, genres and price points from the mid hundreds upwards in a variety of mediums to suit any home including work by the finest animal artists of the present day.
We are currently inviting entries and looking for work by artists including George Earl, John Emms, John Ferneley, Heywood Hardy, John Cyril Harrison, John Frederick Herring, Sir Alfred Munnings, John Nost Sartorius, Sir Peter Markham Scott, James Seymour, David Shepherd, Archibald Thorburn, Arthur Wardle, George Wright to name but a few.
All works are carefully appraised and catalogued by our experienced specialist, Jane Oakley. Jane joined us in 2017 from Sotheby's where she was a director in the British Art Post 1850 Department and head of Scottish Art. She has a broad knowledge of British and Continental paintings and was previously head of the Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite and British Impressionist, Maritime and Sporting Art departments at Christie's.
If you would like to speak to our specialist or arrange a valuation either at our Stansted, Hertford, or London offices, or a home visit, please contact Jane Oakley on the email below.
Be sure not to miss out on the launch of a new catalogue by signing up for alerts here and follow the department on Instagram @sworderspaintingsandsculpture
Want to know how much your Sporting, Wildlife, and Dog Art may be worth? Fill out our easy to use form and a member of the team will be in touch with free advice shortly.
Our specialists hold regular valuation days. Please contact us for more information, or complete the online form to enquire about the valuation of your items.
Join our specialists for a complimentary valuation day, held monthly at Guildhall Library. From Asian Art to Jewellery, along with many other categories, our specialists will be delighted to assist you.
1 April 2026
Sworders London are very excited to be initiating the first in a busy calendar of external valuation days held at the wonderful Primrose Hill Community Library.
25 March 2026
We are excited to share a collection of works from the estate of John Nash that features in our 31 March 'Modern & Contemporary Art' auction.
6 March 2026