ENGLISH SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY, AFTER SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, P.R.A. (1723-1792)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

PROPERTY FROM A WELSH PRIVATE COLLECTION

Details

ENGLISH SCHOOL, 19TH CENTURY, AFTER SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS, P.R.A. (1723-1792)
Maria, Countess Waldegrave, née Walpole (1736-1807), in white dress with blue bodice, white veil falling from her upswept hair, looking upwards, her chin resting on her right hand
on ivory
oval, 2¾ in. (70 mm.) high, gilt-metal mount within coronet surmount, with rectangular ebonised wood frame

Provenance

By direct family descent.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Brought to you by

Tom Johans

tjohans@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3026

Lot Essay

Maria, Countess Waldegrave was the daughter of Edward Walpole and Dorothy Clement. She married, in 1759, James, 2nd Earl Waldegrave, and was styled Countess Waldegrave. Three years after the death of the earl in 1763, Maria married Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, third son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and brother of King George III. The marriage was performed without the knowledge of the Royal Family who would not have approved of the marriage as Maria was a widow, of non-royal rank, and of illegitimate birth. Their marriage led to King George III passing the Royal Marriage Act in 1772.
The present miniature is after the large-scale painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A., now in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, New Zealand.

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