JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/1743-1811)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/1743-1811)
Mrs Richard Milnes, in lace-trimmed white dress, fur-trimmed lilac surcoat with string of pearls, pearls, feather and gauze scarf falling from her upswept powdered hair
on ivory, set in a tortoiseshell panel within the secret compartment of a George III gold snuff-box
the miniature signed with initials and dated 'J.S. / 1781' (lower left), the box by Cornelius Bland, marked, London, 1781
the miniature, oval, 1.7/8 in. (48 mm.) high; the box, 3½ in. (90 mm.) wide; original hinged shagreen case

Provenance

Presumably Richard Slater Milnes (1759-1804) and thence by direct family descent to the Marquess of Crewe.
A Lady; Christie's, London, 22 November 1995, lot 41.

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.

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Katharine Cooke

kcooke@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2343

Lot Essay

On 30 May 1781, Richard Slater Milnes (1759-1804), of Fryston Hall, Co. York, M.P., City of York, married Rachael (d. 1835), daughter and heir of Hans Busk, of Bull House, by Martha his wife, daughter and heir of Richard Rodes, of Great Houghton, Yorkshire. They had nine children together, including Robert Pemberton Milnes (1784-1858), who became M.P. for Pontefract.

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