JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1741-1811)

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1741-1811)
Mary, Duchess of Ancaster and Kesteven, née Panton (d. 1793), in white dress with ermine-trimmed blue surcoat
Signed with initials and dated ‘J.S. / 1763.’ (lower left)
On ivory
Oval, 31 mm. high, gilt-metal frame surmounted with a duchess’s coronet, the reverse engraved ‘Mary / Duchess of Ancaster / 1750. / Wife of Peregrine Bertie / 3rd.. Duke of Ancaster. / died Octr 19. 1793.’

Provenance

Christie’s, London, 17 December 1945, lot 12c (£47.50 to Papier).
Mikel Papier Collection, and by descent.

Literature

D. Foskett, John Smart, The Man and his Miniatures, London, 1964, p. 61.

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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Matilda Burn

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Lot Essay

The sitter was the daughter of Thomas Panton and second wife of Peregrine Bertie, 3rd Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven (1714-1778). They married on 27 November 1750 at Newmarket, therefore it is likely that the present portrait was painted as a wedding portrait. She brought a fortune of £60,000 to the union. She was Mistress of the Robes to Queen Charlotte between 1761 and 1793. She died in Naples on 19 October 1793.

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