William Adolphus Knell Paintings & Artwork for Sale | William Adolphus Knell Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 11, 2025
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1805-1875) The arrival of Prince Albert aboard the P.S. 'Ariel' at Dover en route to London for his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1805-1875) The arrival of Prince Albert aboard the P.S. 'Ariel' at Dover en route to London for his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840 WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1805-1875) The arrival of Prince Albert aboard the P.S. 'Ariel' at Dover en route to London for his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840 Signed 'W.A. Knell' (lower right) Oil on canvas 17 x 23½in. (43 x 60cm.) Christie's South Kensington, Maritime Sale, 5 May 1994, lot 155; Another example purchased by Prince Albert on 16 July 1841 is held within the Royal Collection (ID; RCIN 407161). Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg had been groomed to become his cousin Victoria’s consort long before they ever met and after his successful visit to England in 1836, it was tacitly agreed between them that they would marry. In October 1839 he returned for a short visit during which their betrothal was announced and then went home to Germany whilst the marriage preparations were put in hand. The wedding day having been fixed for 10 February 1840. Albert left Gotha on 28 January and was soon in Calais, where he found two vessels waiting to convey him and his suite across the Channel. The Admiralty packets Ariel and Firebrand were under the temporary command of Lord Clarence Paget although aboard Ariel was Mr Henderson, one of the most experienced pilots in the Service. Ariel, a paddle steamer of 130 tons, had been built as Arrow in 1822 for the General Post Office, was lengthened in 1833 and renamed when the Admiralty took her over in 1837. By the time the Prince was ready to sail, the wind had freshened to half a gale, and the conditions made it impossible to board the 510-ton Firebrand. Thus, the entire party embarked in the tiny Ariel for what was to be a frightening passage lasting 5½ hours. Thrown about by huge seas, her puny 60hp engine could do little to lessen the discomfort of her passengers, and most of those aboard her quickly became convinced that they would never complete the crossing. Eventually, Ariel limped into Dover to the cheers of a large crowd that had gathered to greet the Queen’s future husband despite the appalling weather. So as not to disappoint the people, Prince Albert came on deck to acknowledge the welcome despite the effects of the severe sea-sickness from which he was suffering wretchedly. He did his best to smile, but as he admitted later, his face was ‘the colour of a wax candle’. Relined, cleaned, retouching, stretcher line to left hand side.
Charles Miller Ltd
Aug. 28, 2025
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (CIRCA 1805-1875) SHIPS AT SUNRISE
Est: £200 - £300
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (CIRCA 1805-1875) SHIPS AT SUNRISE Signed Oil on board (15cm x 22cm)
Elstob Auctioneers
Jul. 16, 2025
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). A Storm off Eddystone, 1831
Est: £300 - £500
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). A Storm off Eddystone, 1831 * Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). A Storm off Eddystone, 1831, oil on panel, signed and dated lower right, Ruskin Galleries label and additional partial manuscript label to frame verso, old auction stencil to frame verso, panel size 22.8 x 17.3 cm (9 x 6 3/4 ins), framed (41 34.5 cm) QTY: (1)
Dominic Winter Auctions
Jun. 15, 2025
Att. to William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875), a Pair of Seascapes
Est: $400 - $600
Attributed to William Adolphus Knell, a pair of oil on board paintings in matching frames, two seascapes in contrasting weather. Dimensions: 5" x 12 3/4", the frames 8 1/2" x 16 1/4"
Locati LLC
Jan. 23, 2025
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST
Est: £500 - £600
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST Signed Oil on board (15cm x 22.5cm)
Elstob Auctioneers
Dec. 11, 2024
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST
Est: £500 - £700
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST Signed Oil on board (15cm x 22.5cm)
Elstob Auctioneers
Dec. 05, 2024
Willliam Adolphus Knell (1801-1875), seascape, watercolour, signed to lower right corner, 24 cm x 47 cm, glazed in a gilt frame, 45 cm x 67 cm, togther with Harry Hine (1845-1941), view of Ely Cathedral, watercolour, signed, 36 cm x 45 cm, framed...
Est: £200 - £300
Willliam Adolphus Knell (1801-1875), seascape, watercolour, signed to lower right corner, 24 cm x 47 cm, glazed in a gilt frame, 45 cm x 67 cm, togther with Harry Hine (1845-1941), view of Ely Cathedral, watercolour, signed, 36 cm x 45 cm, framed and glazed, 64 cm x 73 cm. Qty: (2)
Dawsons Auctioneers
Dec. 04, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875)
Est: £200 - £400
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Shipping scene signed lower right 'W A Knell' oil on canvas 19 x 34cm Provenance: Crossbrook, Hilton, Cambridgeshire
Cheffins
Dec. 04, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875)
Est: £300 - £500
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) 'A squally day off the Thames' signed lower right 'W. A. Knell' titled and signed on label verso oil on canvas 24 x 46.5cm Provenance: Crossbrook, Hilton, Cambridgeshire
Cheffins
Nov. 24, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (1801-1875) - Signed
Est: $600 - $1,000
William Adolphus Knell (1801-1875) - Signed This is one of the last Paintings from the estate we cleared last time of Sir Robert Craven from the UK. This is a wonderful Maritime Oil on Board, signed William Knell. William Adolphus Knell (1801–1875) was a successful British maritime painter of the 19th century. This piece is period framed in its original 19th Century Frame, and has a Gallery Display light still attached to the frame ready to wire to a switch in your house. This painting is in very good condition. The frame measures 63cm wide by 43cm high
Danielle Elizabeth Antique & Estate Auctioneers
Nov. 21, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (1805 - 1875), Dieppe coast
Est: £200 - £300
William Adolphus Knell (1805 - 1875), Dieppe coastal scene, oil on canvas, 25cm x 31cm, unframed
Burstow & Hewett
Nov. 14, 2024
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST
Est: £500 - £700
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875) OFF THE COAST Signed Oil on board (15cm x 22.5cm)
Elstob Auctioneers
Nov. 12, 2024
William Adolphus Knell
Est: $400 - $600
British, 1802-1875 Ships in Moonlight Signed Adolphus Knell (lr) Oil on board 5 3/4 x 8 7/8 inches (14.6 x 22.6 cm) Provenance: Godel & Company, New York Sale, Doyle New York, August 4, 2021, lot 7 (Framed 10 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches) Frame rub with associated wear along edges. Light drip staining throughout the surface.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Oct. 16, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) A steam packet arriving at Dover
Est: £600 - £800
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) A steam packet arriving at Dover signed 'W. A. Knell' (lower right), indistinctly signed and inscribed (on old label verso) oil on canvas 30.5 x 51.1cm (12 x 20 1/8in).
Bonhams
Oct. 16, 2024
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Ships by the Kent Coast
Est: £700 - £1,000
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Ships by the Kent Coast * Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Ships by the Kent Coast, oil on canvas, signed lower right, relined, 35.5 x 51 cm (14 x 20 ins), gilt moulded frame (45.5 x 61 cm) QTY: (1)
Dominic Winter Auctions
Oct. 16, 2024
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Off Margate & Off the Foreland
Est: £700 - £1,000
Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Off Margate & Off the Foreland * Knell (William Adolphus, 1801-1875). Off Margate & Off the Foreland, a pair of oils on board, each signed lower right, several hairline cracks to the paint surface (without loss), some old retouching (visible under UV light), visible size 10.7 x 29.3 cm (4 1/4 x 11 1/2 ins), uniform gilt moulded frames (18 x 37 cm), each with title and artist's name plaque to lower edge, both versos with printed gallery label of Kensington Sporting Paintings & Prints Ltd, Ripley, Surrey QTY: (2) NOTE: A pair of fine, small scale classic examples of Knell's seascapes, with an eye for lively detail and atmosphere. These works would benefit from conservation treatment to avoid any loss due to the hairline cracks that are only visible on close inspection.
Dominic Winter Auctions
Jul. 09, 2024
Adolphus Knell, British fl.c.1860-c.1890- A clipper on choppy waters at
Est: £500 - £800
Adolphus Knell, British fl.c.1860-c.1890- A clipper on choppy waters at sunset; oil on canvas, signed 'Adolphus Knell' (lower right), 35.7 x 46 cm. (unframed). Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: Adolphus Knell is not to be confused with William Adolphus Knell (1801-1875), who is believed to be the former's father, making the artist William Calcott Knell (1830-1880) his brother. As such, Adolphus Knell was part of a family of prolific marine painters. The artist often depicted scenes at dawn or dusk, with ships on the waves set against a low sun, or at night, under a bright, atmospheric moonlight. The present work depicts a particularly striking sky, with the red of the setting sun contrasting with the yellow, purple, and pale blue hues of the sky, alongside the deep greens of the waves, to create an especially vibrant and evocative effect.
Roseberys
Mar. 07, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1805-18
Est: £200 - £300
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1805-1875), Battle of the Nile, a pair, one signed l.r., titled on mounts below, watercolour, 18 by 26cm, framed (2)
Kinghams Auctioneers
Mar. 07, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1801-1875)
Est: £200 - £300
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1801-1875) Assorted shipping before white cliffs, oil on board, signed lower right, indistinctly inscribed verso, 5½ x 12¼in. (14cm x 31cm)
Martel Maides
Feb. 29, 2024
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL, VENETIAN GULF, WATERCOLOUR ON PAPER, SIGNED LOWER RIGHT, 21 X 32CM, FRAME SIZE: 46 X 58CM
Est: $300 - $500
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL, VENETIAN GULF, WATERCOLOUR ON PAPER, SIGNED LOWER RIGHT, 21 X 32CM, FRAME SIZE: 46 X 58CM
Leonard Joel
Feb. 27, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) Ships for the c…
Est: €300 - €500
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) Ships for the coast of Dover, signed and dated l.r. 18[..], oil on canvas, 25,5 x 36 cm
Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Feb. 14, 2024
William Adolphus Knell (1801 - 1875), Ships at sea
Est: £1,000 - £2,000
William Adolphus Knell (1801 - 1875) Ships at sea Oil on canvasÂ Dimensions: (Canvas) 18 in (H) x 24 in (W) (Frame) 23 in (H) x 29 in (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Jan. 24, 2024
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1802 - 1875) OIL ON CANVAS
Est: £300 - £500
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1802 - 1875) OIL ON CANVAS depicting fishing boats on the coast - signed lower right and mounted in gilt-swept frame. (17cm high 35cm wide)
Hutchinson Scott Limited
Dec. 08, 2023
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH 1805-1875), LUG SAIL FISHING BOAT OFF LOWESTOFT
Est: £500 - £700
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH 1805-1875)LUG SAIL FISHING BOAT OFF LOWESTOFTOil on panelTitled, dated 1870 and inscribed to old label (verso)25 x 45cm (9¾ x 17½ in.)Please note measurements do not include the frame unless otherwise stated.
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Nov. 30, 2023
William Adolphus Knell (1801 - 1875), A pair of seascapes
Est: £500 - £800
William Adolphus Knell (1801 - 1875) A pair of seascapes Watercolour on paper Signed and dated, lower right Property of a Lady Dimensions: (Paper) 13.5 in. (H) x 20 in. (W) (Frame) 16.5 in. (H) x 22.5 in. (W)
Sloane Street Auctions
Nov. 14, 2023
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1801-1875) - Bringing a disabled Man O'War into Chatham Dockyard with two First Rates laid up in ordinary beyond
Est: £600 - £800
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1801-1875) - Bringing a disabled Man O'War into Chatham Dockyard with two First Rates laid up in ordinary beyond WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1801-1875) Bringing a disabled Man O'War into Chatham Dockyard with two First Rates laid up in ordinary beyond Signed 'W. A. Knell R.A.' (lower right), artist's title (On the Medway - bringing a disabled ship into port) to reverse Oil on canvas 9¾ x 18¾in. (25 x 47.5cm.) with original frame. Royal Academy Exhibition, 1864, no. 148. Needs relining. Has previous very light retouching.
Charles Miller Ltd
Nov. 02, 2023
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL - UNTITLED (SHIPS BY MOONLIGHT)
Est: $800 - $1,200
Lot 53 William Adolphus Knell British (1801-1875) Untitled (Ships by Moonlight) oil on board signed lower right sight: 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches frame dimensions: 13 x 17 x 3/4 inches Provenance: From a Private Collection
Capsule Gallery Auction
May. 24, 2023
William Adolphus Knell British, 1805-1875 Shipping at Sunset and Shipping by Moonlight: A Pair
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
William Adolphus Knell British, 1805-1875 Shipping at Sunset and Shipping by Moonlight: A Pair Each signed Adolphus Knell (lr) Each oil on prepared artist's board, within a painted tondo Each 5 3/4 x 6 1/8 inches (14.6 x 15.5 cm); diameter of each tondo approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) Provenance: Quester Gallery, Stonington CT C Property from a Prominent Private Collection
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Apr. 04, 2023
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875)
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) An East Indiaman shortening sail in a storm oil on canvas 79 x 105cm
Sworders
Oct. 13, 2022
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Coastal scene with sailing vessels oil on canvas, signed "Adolphus Knell"lower right,
Est: £250 - £300
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Coastal scene with sailing vessels oil on canvas, signed "Adolphus Knell"lower right, modern reproduction gold frame 5 ¼ x 7 ¼ in. (13.3 x 18.4cm.)
Martel Maides
Oct. 05, 2022
William Adolpus Knell (1801-1875) British, a sailboat on choppy waters, oil on board, signed, 9" x 11" (23 x 2
Est: £500 - £600
William Adolpus Knell (1801-1875) British, a sailboat on choppy waters, oil on board, signed, 9" x 11" (23 x 28cm).
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Oct. 05, 2022
William Adolpus Knell (1801-1875) British, view of sailboats near a port, possibly Plymouth, oil on board, sig
Est: £250 - £300
William Adolpus Knell (1801-1875) British, view of sailboats near a port, possibly Plymouth, oil on board, signed with initials, 6.25" x 9.5" (16 x 24cm).
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Jul. 21, 2022
WILLIAM ADOLPHIS KNELL (1805 - 1875): TWO MARINE WORKS
Est: $500 - $1,000
each oil on board; each signed "W. Knell"; the first: ship by moonlight with distant coastline, signed lower right; the second: docked ships at sunset, signed lower left; each 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 inches oval sight; 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches frame
Abell Auction
Jul. 07, 2022
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Shipping at Sunset oil on Windsor & Newton Academy board, signed lower right,
Est: £600 - £800
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Shipping at Sunset oil on Windsor & Newton Academy board, signed lower right, swept gilded reproduction frame 11 ¼ x 17 ¼in. (28.5 x 43.8cm.)
Martel Maides
Jul. 07, 2022
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Coastal scene with sailing vessels oil on canvas, signed "Adolphus Knell"lower right,
Est: £300 - £400
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1802-1875) Coastal scene with sailing vessels oil on canvas, signed "Adolphus Knell"lower right, modern reproduction gold frame 5 ¼ x 7 ¼ in. (13.3 x 18.4cm.)
Martel Maides
May. 21, 2022
William Knell (British, 1805-1875), "HMS St Jean d'Acre off the Coast of Torbay"
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
William Adolphus Knell (British, 1805-1875) "HMS St Jean d'Acre off the Coast of Torbay" oil on canvas signed lower right, old handwritten note "HMSS St Jean d'Acre 100 Guns lying before a pile (?) in Torbay" with signature en verso along with several inventory and sales labels. Framed. 30" x 25", framed 36-1/2" x 31" Provenance: Private collection, Lexington, Kentucky.
New Orleans Auction Galleries
Mar. 09, 2022
Adolphus Knell (1801-1875), a rowing boat approaching moored vessels at dusk, oil on panel, signed, 6" x 9".
Est: £400 - £600
Adolphus Knell (1801-1875), a rowing boat approaching moored vessels at dusk, oil on panel, signed, 6" x 9".
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Mar. 09, 2022
Adolphus Knell (1801-1875) Moored sailing boats on the coast with a grey stormy sky, oil on canvas, signed, 9"
Est: £400 - £600
Adolphus Knell (1801-1875) Moored sailing boats on the coast with a grey stormy sky, oil on canvas, signed, 9" x 13".
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Mar. 09, 2022
* Knell (William Adolphus, attributed to, 1801-1875). Ships at Dawn, oil on canvas
Est: £700 - £1,000
* Knell (William Adolphus, attributed to, 1801-1875). Ships at Dawn, oil on canvas Attributed to William Adolphus Knell (1801-1875). Shipping at Dawn, oil on canvas, unsigned, relined, 28 x 42cm (11 x 16.25 ins), fine quality elaborate rococo-style gilt gesso frame Qty: (1) Footnote: Provenance: Private collection, Monmouthshire, England, thence by descent.
Dominic Winter Auctions
Feb. 15, 2022
Huile sur toile "Le naufrage". Signé en bas à droite W.A. Knell.
Est: €800 - €1,200
Huile sur toile "Le naufrage". Signé en bas à droite W.A. Knell. Ecole britannique. Dim.:+/-46x76,5cm.
Vanderkindere
Nov. 20, 2021
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL BOATS, O/B.
Est: $300 - $500
Small oil on panel of boats off a coast in rough water with light breaking though stormy clouds shining off after, signed lower right W. A. Knell, in a gilt frame with a linen mat border, old inscriptions on reverse. approx. 6.5” x 9”, overall 12” x 14.5”.
William Smith Auctions
Nov. 10, 2021
William Adolphus Knell British, 1802-1875 Ships by Moonlight near Shore
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
William Adolphus Knell British, 1802-1875 Ships by Moonlight near Shore Signed Adolphus Knell (lr) Oil on board 6 3/8 x 9 1/4 inches (16.3 x 23.5 cm) Provenance: Godel & Company, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Oct. 23, 2021
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875), EXTENSIVE SUNBATHED SHIPP
Est: £800 - £1,200
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875), EXTENSIVE SUNBATHED SHIPPING SCENE, signed, oil on board, framed. 46.5cm by 59.5cm
Elstob Auctioneers
Oct. 23, 2021
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875), SEASCAPE AND NOCTURNE SEA
Est: £1,000 - £2,000
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1801-1875), SEASCAPE AND NOCTURNE SEASCAPE, both signed, oils on board, framed. (2) 20cm by 17cm Provenance: Chosen Antiques, Gloucestershire
Elstob Auctioneers
Jun. 19, 2021
Vor dem Hafen, William Adolphus Knell (1805 Carisbrooke - 1875 Kentish Town
Est: -
Vor dem Hafen, William Adolphus Knell (1805 Carisbrooke - 1875 Kentish Town) At the harbour, oil on panel, 21 cm x 50 cm, signed, minor losses of pigment,
Wettmann
Mar. 24, 2021
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) British, a rowing boat leaving Port under moonlight with sail ships beyond,
Est: £800 - £1,200
William Adolphus Knell (1805-1875) British, a rowing boat leaving Port under moonlight with sail ships beyond, Oil on panel, signed, 18" x 26".
John Nicholson's Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Oct. 21, 2020
Adolphus Knell (British active 1860-1890) THE FLEET AT DUSK
Est: £400 - £600
Adolphus Knell (British active 1860-1890) THE FLEET AT DUSK Signed, oil on board (11cm x 30cm (4.25in x 12in))
Lyon & Turnbull
Jul. 14, 2020
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1805-1875), "YACHT DE COURSE"
Est: €400 - €600
WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (1805-1875), "YACHT DE COURSE" óleo sobre madeira de carvalho. Assinado. Tábua necessita de consolidação e moldura com faltas e defeitos. Dim.: 23x34,5 cm.
Renascimento