Very rare and superb Samuel A. Rayner (British 1806-1879) watercolor painting on paper done in 1847 titled "Retainer's Gallery" of an interior room at the Knole House Estate, Kent, England; depicting a medieval knight's helmet on a table and his armor (armour) shield etc under the table and a wooden chest flung open on the floor. Several high backed red velvet chairs line the walls of the room as do many paintings and empty frames hang askew along the walls. Painted in 1847 at Knole House at Seven oaks, Kent, England which had as does a calendar; 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 7 courts, and is now a museum. Henry VIII was quoted as saying that the Knole estate was on "sounde, parfait, holesome grounde". Additionally, Knole Estate was the setting for the filming of the Beatles video releases of "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" in 1967. A wonderful painting with so much history that perhaps it should be in a museum itself. Sight: 23.5" x 15" Frame: 30" x 22"

Watercolor in good condition considering age. Loose in frame. Frame with many chips, losses, needs replacing. Not examined out of frame.