Miniatures

PERSONALIA

PORTRAIT MINIATURES

INCLUDING WAX PORTRAITS AND SILHOUETTES

Note: dimensions given are for the visible image and for the frame size.

AKED. Portrait miniature of a young man c.1780 mounted in a round sculpted gilt brass frame (45 mm in diameter) on the back of which is a handwritten label reading "Mr Aked (Father of Grandmama Williams ?". £500 Possibly the father of Mary Ann Aked who in 1821 married Robert Vaughan Wynn Williams (b.1798) at Mayfield, Staffordshire, and had two sons and two daughters. The origins of the name Aked are found in Yorkshire.

ARCHER, Edward. Hollow cut silhouette of a gentleman c. 1790 (profile 60mm high), mounted in a contemporary ebonised oval frame (128 x 107mm) with suspension loop. The paper has two handwritten inscriptions - a partially visible inscription reading "...Profile of my uncle E.A. RH" and another "Edward Archer b. at Newcastle 6 May 1754 d.17 March 1793 buried at Heston Church Nr Hounslow". A paper label on the reverse reads "Edward Archer (2nd son of Ed Archer of McJohn) Born 1754. A merchant of Henrietta St. Covent Garden London. Died unmarried March 1793. Burd. at Heston, Middlesex". £150 Edward Archer (1754-1793) was the son of Edward Archer (1701-1777) and his second wife Elizabeth Chamney, who were married 9 October 1746 at St Peter & St Kevin in Dublin.

BATEMAN, Lord. Painted silhouette on card, c 1800, signed by John Field, 69 x 82mm, in a later oak frame, 175 x 190mm. Bearing Field's distinctive signature beneath the truncation, and the sitter's name in very small script in pencil at the top edge. On the reverse, visible through a window cut-out in the rear mount, a contemporary ink inscription reads "Lord Bateman Copd. for Mr Davis". Click on picture for larger image. £300 Presumably 2nd Viscount John Bateman (1721-1802), of Shobdon Court, Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. The artist John Field (1772-1848) was one of the most famous and skilled silhouette artists, who in his early years worked as an assistant to John Miers at his studio in the Strand, London. Characteristic of some of his early work, as in this case, are silhouettes painted in umber with fine strokes of sepia to impart detail. (McKechnie)

BECKINGHAM, Stephen and his sister Mrs C.Dillon. Two hollow-cut silhouettes, that of the gentleman inscribed on the backboard in ink "Ste: Beckingham Mrs Harrington fecit 1780",and that of the lady inscribed "Mrs C.Dillon sister of S Beckingham Mrs Harrington fecit". Both cut out busts are about 65mm tall, within oval frames measuring 90 x 110mm with suspension loops. The paper of the Stephen Beckingham portrait is browned, and that of Mrs Dillon is a cut down oval. £600 The male is Stephen Beckingham (c1729-1813) of Bourne Place, Bishopsbourne, Kent, son of Stephen Beckingham (c1697-1756) and Mary Cox. The lady is his half-sister Charlotte Beckingham (born c1750), the daughter of Stephen Beckingham senior and his second wife Mary Catherine Corbett. Charlotte married Arthur Dillon in 1774 at St Anne, Soho, London. Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox are famously recorded in William Hogarth's painting The Wedding of Stephen Beckingham and Mary Cox, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The artist Mrs Sarah Harrington was a well known profilist, who became expert in the hollow-cut method of producing silhouette portraits. Her work mainly dates from the decade 1775-1785.

BENT, Rev. George. Portrait miniature on ivory (?) of a gentleman c.1800 mounted in a gold frame (60 x 70mm) on the reverse of which is a hair piece in a smaller oval window in an ivory cut-out, with a handwritten paper label on the glass reading "The Revd George Bent died 16 Jany. 1814, aged 72". £400 George Bent (1741-1814) matriculated at Balliol College Oxford (1758), and took his MA at Peterhouse Cambridge (1768). He was rector of Jacobstow from 1776, and minister of Sandford in Devon from 1789, until his death in 1814. He married firstly Mary daughter of John Milton of Bristol in 1773, by whom he had (at least) two sons and two daughters, and secondly Hannah widow of Thomas Marsh in 1785. He is probably the George Bent recorded in the IGI christened 2 July 1741 at St Kerrian, Exeter, son of George Bent M.D.(c1708-1782).

BENTINCK, Lady Mary (1778-1843). Portrait miniature on ivory, 53 x 66 mm, in wooden frame 115 x 127 mm, with suspension loop, c.1830. Click on picture for larger image. £150 Lady Mary Bentinck, daughter of the Prime Minister William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809) and Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley (1715-1785).

BLACK, Joseph (1728–1799), chemist and physician. Polychrome relief portrait in wax, with the inscription on the truncation "JOSEPH BLACK MD. 1788". On black glass 70 x 95mm in a 19th or 20th century gilt frame. There is a horizontal crack running from just below is lower lip right across to the back of his tied hair, and another less obvious crack running under his chin line to meet the horizontal crack. £400 Black is importantly known for his discoveries of latent heat, specific heat, and carbon dioxide. He was a founder of thermochemistry who developed many pre-thermodynamics concepts, such as heat capacity, and was the mentor for James Watt, with whom he forged a lifelong friendship. He developed other close friendships amongst the Edinburgh elite, including Cullen, Hutton, Hume, Smith, and Ferguson. He was an enormously popular lecturer, and the chemistry buildings at both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow are named after him. This relief portrait is taken from James Tassie's sulphide portrait taken in 1788, which was also produced as a portrait medallion by Wedgwood.

BROWN, John. (1826–1883), servant to Queen Victoria. Wax relief portrait on grey-black ceramic, 70 mm diameter, in a burgundy velvet mount in a modern gilt frame 200 x 200mm. The wax relief has a small crack to the tip of his jacket lapel, but is otherwise in good condition. The name John Brown is written in pencil on the reverse of the ceramic disc. Click on picture for larger image. SOLD John Brown was, famously, servant to Queen Victoria for 38 years. Prince Albert selected Brown as Queen Victoria's personal servant in Scotland in 1858, and he soon became a great favourite with the Queen. After Albert's death in 1861, Brown became indispensable to her, and their relationship was later to be the subject of widespread speculation. Victoria was deeply affected by his death in 1896, and left instructions upon her own death that a picture, a lock of his hair, and various mementoes of him be buried with her. (ODNB)

CHURCHILL, Mary. Portrait miniature on ivory (?) of a lady, c.1820, measuring 45mm in diameter, in a gilded decorative brass frame. Scottish school, with a paper label on the reverse reading "MARY CHURCHILL GRAND DAUGHTER OF SIR PATRICK MURRAY". £400 The connection between the Murray and Churchill families can be identified through the descendants of Sir Patrick Murray of Ochtertyre 4th Bart (1707-1764). His daughter Joan married in 1769, Charles Churchill, but it has proved difficult to establish how many children they had - there was a son, Charles Henry born 1772 in Perth, Scotland. Perhaps Mary was one of their children, which would then accord with the label.

CRAVEN, William. 19th century cut silhouette on card of a gentleman (90 x 125 mm), inscribed in ink on the reverse "William Craven Esqr. --- I have no doubt of this being an intended likeness of my Father. It is his figure & the features are the same as his, as well as the picture. But it wants the life & animation, which were habitual to him. C.Craven Spexhall Rectory Oct 29th 1875." Card discoloured. Mounted under black card (6 x 7.5 ins) with a card window on the reverse revealing the inscription. £75 William Craven (d. 1832) of Weaste House, Manchester, the son of Joseph and Mary Craven, was a Captain in the 22nd Regiment of Foot. William's son Charles who appended the notes on the reverse was born in Manchester in 1797 one of at least 9 children of William and Mary Craven. He was installed as Rector of Spexhall, Suffolk in 1847 which he occupied until his death in 1877.

ELLIS, Samuel. Portrait miniature of a young man in profile on card or paper, measuring 65 x 75mm, in a contemporary oval wood frame 110 x 120mm with a suspension loop. On the reverse a damaged paper backing inscribed "Samuel Ellis son of John Abigail Ellis . Yarmouth Norfolk". £150 John Abigail Ellis was born 1758, and married Sarah Harris Hannant in 1782 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Their son Samuel, the subject of this portrait, was born in 1810.

FORREST, Thomas. Cut silhouette on card of a gentleman (51 x 61 mm), inscribed in ink on the reverse “Thomas Forrest Leighton Buzzard” with the inserted date 1841 in pencil, and the silhouettest’s inscription “ Mr E.WHITTLE ARTIST”. In a contemporary oval wood frame (90 x 100mm), which has a repaired split at the base. £120 Thomas Forrest was born in York c 1786 and died in Leighton Buzzard in 1854. He is found in the 1851 census at Lawford’s Wharf, Linslade (nr Leighton Buzzard), Buckinghamshire, working as an accountant, and living with his wife Matilda and daughter Emily. His work was connected with the activities of the Grand Junction Canal, an important waterway completed through Linslade in 1805, which significantly boosted trade and employment in the area in the 19^th century.

GRAHAM, Dora Ennis. Cut silhouette of a young woman, highlighted in gold, on card (91 x 123mm), with a pencil inscription under the truncation reading 'Dora Ennis Graham' and on the reverse in pencil 'Accidentally drowned with husband & only child March 1845', inside an old decorative frame (125 x 160mm) with a few pieces of the relief moulding missing. The card has an unsightly water stain, which could be professionally removed. £80 Dora Ennis Graham was born Dora Ennis Bellairs, and married Reginald Simpson Graham on 10th September 1838 in Bedworth, Warwickshire. Their daughter also named Dora Ennis was born in 1839 in Salford, Lancashire. The family are found in the 1841 census in Eccles, Lancashire, when Reginald's occupation is listed as a merchant. Perhaps through Reginald's occupation the family perished at sea - further research may uncover the story behind the tragic deaths of all three members of the family.

HALL / GOSLING / BURGESS FAMILY. A group of four silhouette portraits taken c 1803-1811, all in matching wood and pressed brass frames 110 x 130mm., and all with paper labels giving details of the sitters as follows: 1. "Saml. Hall Senr. aged 82 1803 Died July 12th 1806 aged 85 at 11 O'C at night. ------------- to his wife 1771 aged 5------ Betty their daughter died 13th January 1815 aged 63". 2. "Sarah Hall Daughter of James and Nancy Gosling . Wife of Samuel Hall Jnr. Died Nov.25th 1828 aged 57". 3. "Saml. Hall Junr. Aged 46 1804. Died July 6th 1817 aged 59 yrs." 4. "Thos. Burgess Jnr. Sep. 1811 aged 22. Born 28 Apr. 1789" and in pencil "Jennie M.Arnold Oct. 30 1906". One frame with the brass complete; two with cracks and losses; and one with substantial losses. £400 The Hall family and associated families they married into, can be located to the parish of Prestbury, Cheshire. James Hall married Nancy Gosling in 1790, while the connection with Burgess appears to be through the marriage of Thomas Burgess to Lydia Hall on 24th November 1811.

HOLBROW, Joan. A late Georgian period painted silhouette of an elderly lady on paper 150 x 200mm, with an extensive Latin dedication written in ink forming an octagonal surround. At the base a pencil inscription "Joan Holbrow of Tockington". The silhouette is mounted in a modern black frame. £100 Joan Holbrow was the wife of Daniel Holbrow of Tockington, Gloucestershire. Joan was a Quaker and a very close friend of the Quaker minister Mary Dudley (1750-1823) (see E. Dudley, ed., The life of Mary Dudley .1825).

MacGREGOR, Margaret. Painted silhouette of a lady with a bonnet, 80mm high, in a contemporary frame measuring 138 x 165mm, on the back of which is a paper label reading "Margaret MacGregor born at Cramond March 16 1810, married Walter Symons in 1850 and died at Simerton March 10 1903. This sketch was drawn by her brother Walter MacGregor December 10th 1836. Received from her granddaughter Margaret Symons June 11 1925". £100 Margaret Symons is recorded in the 1861 census, the wife of Walter Symons, a baker, with their son Walter (aged 10) and Ewen McGregor her brother (aged 54), in Liberton, Midlothian.

MOLINEUX, Joseph and Ann. A pair of portrait miniatures, pencil on paper (53 x 66mm), of Joseph Molineux (1713-1771) and his wife Ann (nee Brett) (1715-1782). Small worm holes through parts of the paper. In gilt wood frames 104 x 120mm, with inscriptions on the rear. With genealogical notes. Click on picture for larger image. £500 Joseph was the fourth son of John and Mary Molineux of Wolverhampton, who settled in Lewes, Sussex in 1738, where he was engaged in the iron trade. He was appointed Receiver-General of Stamps and Taxes, and was High Constable of Lewes in 1745 and 1764. He married Ann, daughter of Dr William Brett of Lewes, and his wife Ann Apsley, by whom they had at least six children.

NEELE, Henry (1798–1828), poet and writer. Silhouette 52 x 85mm, in a leather frame, 96 x 119mm. Inscribed on the reverse "Henry Neele the Poet. Taken at Margate in the Autumn of 1823". Click on picture for larger image. £300 Henry Neele was born in London and joined a firm of solicitors, whilst devoting his spare time to literature and poetry. In March 1823, a few months before this silhouette was taken, his Poems Dramatic and Miscellaneous was published, which attracted much interest, making him a popular contributor to magazines and annuals. Following the large amount of work he devoted in 1827 to producing a collected edition of his poems in two volumes, and his Romance of English History in three volumes, he committed suicide in February 1828 at his home in Castle Street, Marylebone. (ODNB)

FRIEND OF DANIEL O'CONNELL O'HARA, William. Painted silhouette on card (profile 67mm high), mounted within a decorative paper surround, inside a frame (120 x 156mm). The card is grubby but the painted silhouette is sharp and well executed. The reverse is glazed preserving a letter reading: "Xmas 1912. My Dearest Emmie, This is a portrait of our darling Mother's father, done "a la Silhouette" which was the mode of taking likenesses in the old times before daguerritipes or photography were invented. Our grandfather William O'Hara of Cork was a man of great talent both in Business matters & music & drawing. He was a Printer, Publisher, Book-seller & Stationer, & a most superior man in every way. He was a close friend of The Liberator Daniel O'Connell. I thought you might like it for your cabinet of little curiosities & to tell your sons about him. Your ever affectionate sister, Haidee." £100 William O'Hara can be found in various Cork directories from the 1820s to 1840s trading as a bookseller, stationer and printer. His friend Daniel O'Connell is the famous Irish nationalist leader, who campaigned for Catholic emancipation and for the repeal of the Union between Ireland and Great Britain.

TATTON SYKES, Mary Anne, Lady (1792-1861). Silhouette painted on the reverse of glass, with verre églomisé border, 100 x 125mm, in a eye maple frame, 170 x 195mm. Click on picture for larger image. £400 Mary Anne was one of five children of Sir William Foulis, 7th Bt. and Mary Anne of Ingleby Manor, Yorkshire. In 1822 she married Sir Tatton Sykes (1772-1863), 4th Bt., landowner and racehorse breeder, who succeeded to the baronetcy following the death of his elder brother in 1823, whereupon they moved to Sledmere, near Malton, Yorkshire. They had two sons and six daughters, but while Sir Tatton was outwardly a respected and popular figure, his family knew him as a brutal figure, who ruled over them ‘with the vicious rage of a stone-age tyrant’. (ODNB)