✨ Rare 1830s Tinsel Prints — “St. David of Wales” | Original Bird’s Eye Maple Frame | M. Skelt, London | Hand Embellished Theatrical Print No. 19 “Horses” ✨ ✨ Rare 1830s Tinsel Print — “St. Patrick of Ireland” | Original Bird’s Eye Maple Frame | M. Skelt, London | Hand Embellished Theatrical Print No. 22 “Horses” ✨

Dimensions (framed): 32 x 37.5 cm

Ships from: Winnipeg, Canada

Ready to hang

TWO OF THE SAME "HORSES" SERIES ARE AVAILABLE IN MY SHOP!!!!!

🔹 Description:

This is an extraordinary and rare early 19th-century tinsel print, titled “St. David of Wales”, published by the renowned Martin Skelt of London. Dating from the 1830s–1840s, this is No. 19 in the “Horses” series—a boldly block-printed, hand-painted, and lavishly embellished work of theatrical heroism and patriotic visual storytelling.

A highly decorative moral and theatrical wall print, this piece was part of a Victorian trend to depict noble figures as visual role models for children and young adults. These were prints with purpose—designed to dazzle, educate, and instill virtue through dramatic imagery.

🖼️ Key Features:

Original Bird’s Eye Maple Frame — a stunning warm-toned grain that perfectly complements the print's bold colors

Gold gilt inner slip frame — adds luminous depth and classical elegance

Glazed with glass to preserve the delicate painted surface and embellishments

Dimensions (framed): 32 x 37.5 cm

🖼️ Condition:

The frame is sturdy and beautifully preserved. Veneer corners show gentle wear appropriate to age and should be handled with care. The paper backing is not original, but it protects the original interior. Nail holes and darker patina along the wood edges enhance the authenticity and antique charm of this nearly 200-year-old piece.

🎨 Artistic Details:

Block printed and hand painted with luminous 1830s pigments—bold reds, soft pinks, golds, silvers, and verdant greens

Hand-applied foils, sequins, and faux gems sparkle with theatrical flair

St. David, in full medieval armor, is rendered as a radiant and righteous knight

Wears a silver-plated helmet topped with a sweeping feather plume

Holds a battle lance high, while his horse rears in full motion, draped in elaborate battle gear with a striking pink and gold saddle cloth

Background includes a pastoral battlefield, a castle on the hill, and the enemy advancing with raised axes—a tableau of drama and moral courage

🕰️ Historical Significance:

This is not simply art—it’s a rare visual document of British cultural values in the early Victorian period.

Tinsel prints like this were:

Designed for educational and decorative use in parlors and nurseries

Part of a cultural moment focused on national pride, moral storytelling, and theatrical visual language

Extremely rare to survive in this condition—with full embellishment, bright coloration, and original framing

Martin Skelt was a leading figure in the popular print industry of 1830s London, and this piece showcases the height of his craft outside the toy theatre realm.

🌟 Why Collectors Love It:

Incredible condition for a nearly 200-year-old piece

Museum-quality tinsel print, rarely found framed and intact

Highly decorative and collectible for lovers of British folk art, theatrical history, and early children’s illustration

Listed counterparts of Skelt’s tinsel prints appear in collections of institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and Museum of London

An ideal gift or centerpiece for lovers of Welsh heritage, early printmaking, and vintage religious iconography

📦 Shipping & Handling:

Your piece will be professionally packed, insured for full value, and shipped with tracking. Worldwide shipping available.

💎 A Dazzling Knight from the Age of Candlelit Wonder

Step into the world of 1830s Britain with this luminous, gem-studded portrayal of St. David of Wales—where virtue, valor, and visual drama meet. One of two surviving pieces in this rare “Horses” series currently available in my shop.