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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 226

The C.V.O. awarded to Mr F. O. Salisbury, the famed artist behind such evocative images as Boy Cornwall in the Battle of Jutland as well as portraits of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and notably the first portrait of Elizabeth II

The Royal Victorian Order, Commander's (C.V.O.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, numbered to the reverse 'C922', in its Collingwood fitted case of issue, good very fine

Francis Owen Salisbury was born at Harpenden, Hertfordshire, the son of Henry and Susan Salisbury. Educated initially by his sister Salisbury had little formal schooling and was apprenticed to his older brother James who managed a stained glass company in St. Albans. Spotting artistic talent his his younger sibling, James sponsored him to attend Heatherley's School of Art, on the back of this he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy Schools.

Swiftly starting to earn a living a reputation as an artist Salisbury began to paint members of high society after a chance meeting with Lord Wakefield. His portrait Boy Cornwall in the Battle of Jutland, depicting Jack Cornwall's famous VC winning actions earned him Royal notice. Sailsbury painted a total of twenty-five members of the Royal Family with his most notable piece, the one his C.V.O. was awarded for being The Coronation of their Royal Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth 1937. Although it is speculated that this was mearly an excuse for the award and his long assocation and friendship with the Royal Family was the real cause.

Sailsbury painted the only portrait Winston Churchill sat for during the Second World War as well as several images of him afterwards. He painted six Presidents during his many visits to the United States as well as many notables within the country. Outside the world of portraiture Sailsbury was Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Vice President of the Royal Society of St. George. He died on 31 August 1962 at Sarum Chase, Hampstead and is buried at Harpenden Parish Churchyard. His C.V.O. was passed to his daughter Monica and thence to his grandson who sold it privately; sold together with a signed letter of attribution from the recipient's grandson as well as correspondence with the Central Chancery confirming the number engraved upon the recipient's decoration was 922 and copied research and copy of his autobiography entitled Sarum Chase.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£750