Portrait Oil Painting of a Lady with Basket of Fruit

This is a large oil on canvas of a lady carrying a basket of fruits on her head, representing Autumn, Summer or abundance etc. The painting would date to the nineteenth century and is most likely a reimagining of a much earlier work, indeed a very similar painting is hanging at the National Trust property Middlethorpe Hall, York. The painting does not appear to be signed as is often the case with works taken from earlier paintings, but the quality is very good, particularly the face and skin and the folds of the dress. The work has been professionally cleaned and had a couple of small holes repaired and is in excellent condition. The painting rather interestingly is mounted in an early eighteenth century carved giltwood frame, which is a rare and desirable item on its own. The frame would have originally been silvered which was popular with early frames from the late Seventeenth century. It has been later gilded and is in good antique condition for a three hundred year old frame. The frame gives the whole a really impressive country house look and it has a dramatic decorative impact. There are as might be expected some old worm holes in places which have been treated. Painting dates to c.1850 or earlier and frame to c.1700.