Just the most Joyful Little Antique Painting of Two Young Girls with their Darling Pet Rabbit

THE STORY - For me the word 'joyful' in the title of this listing sums up perfectly how I feel about this little painting, closely followed by the word 'charming'. This little painting, (and it is small), of two young girls most likely sisters, seated at a table with their pet black and white rabbit feeding him what looks like a lettuce leaf is painted with oil on card. The painting is neither signed nor dated but my instinct tells me it would date to circa 1880 and it sits in its possible original gilt wood frame. I think it cannot be said that this is the most finely painted painting but neither would I call it naive and every time I look at it I think of the Pre-Raphelite paintings, I think mainly because of the elder girls pose, hair and clothes. And then there is the darling little girl, her eyes simply painted in black that almost look like they have been smudged but for me it gives some sense of movement to the face. And I love that this little group are portrayed in a simple interior scene of the table with its green cloth. The frame I have to say is pretty beautiful, it sides are shaped and each corner adorned with elaborate mouldings of some composition and it is very pleasing deep, and for me it frames this little painting perfectly. And what makes the painting even more charming for me, is the sticker on the reverse, nothing to do with the artist, subjects or frames but of the gentleman, Geoffrey Parker' who bought this painting at Salisbury Market in 1962, conveying to me that the gentleman knew instantly that this little painting was special and was proud to be its owner

AGE - Circa 1880

CONDITION - The painting is in very good condition. There is maybe a small loss of paint on the young girl's hair, but I confess I did originally think this was a hair grip. The frame too is in good condition, with the glass clear of any scratches that I can see. There is a chip to the wood on the top inner edge of the frame above the girls heads which I hope you can see in the photos. There is also wear to the gilt, and the I think the front section of the frame may have been retouched. The hanger still appears secure.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Framed Height 6&3/4" / 17cm , Width 8" / 20cm, Depth 1&1/4" / 3.5cm. Image Size - Height 2&1/2" / 6cm, Width 3&1/2" / 9cm.

This painting has been much loved over its long life and I really do understand why. Possibly its original owners were the parents of the two young girls, or maybe a friend of the family who might of painted the portrait. And for me the painting conveys a clear love for that pet rabbit with both girls looking intently at it. It really is a simply joyous painting and it would be lovely to think of the next person who owns it placing a sticker on the back like Geoffrey Parker marking the newest and hopefully long stage in the paintings life.