Hancock's Antique Shop
One half of a pair of cottages which stand just within the walls of the city of Chichester. Their foundations are almost certainly mediaeval, and there will have been houses on the site which they occupy ever since the time of the Romans, but to appearances these are Georgian dwellings.
At some stage the cottages have evidently been further divided. The antique shop which is the subject of this painting occupies the left-hand cottage, but it is clear that it was once two premises. This is the reason why it has two doors - plus the third one inserted into the shop front - and two very dissimilar windows upstairs.
It would be very interesting to trace the history of this building and find out how it was used in past centuries. It has been an antique shop for as long as I can remember; certainly for at least 40 years.
I have it in mind someday to paint the whole of Chichester in this way, working shop by shop along the four main streets and only leaving out eyesores like HMV and the supermarket.
(Gouache - approx 12 x 9")