Lot Essay
Sir Andrew Fountaine (1676-1753) was one of the keenest virtuosi of his age. The eldest son of Andrew Fountaine, M.P. of Narford, Norfolk, and his wife Sarah, daughter of Sir Thomas Chichley, he was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and was knighted by William III at Hampton Court in 1699 and succeeded to the estate at Narford on his father's death in 1706. Sir Andrew made two tours of the Continent on 1701-03 and 1714-16 and on the second tour became a close friend of Cosmo III, grand Duke of Tuscany. He bought many antiquities and curiosities. In 1725 he was appointed vice-Chamberlain to Princess Caroline, an office he continued to hold when she was Queen. He was also tutor to Prince William and in 1727 succeeded Sir Isaac Newton as warden of the Mint.
Fountaine's advice was sought by English collectors of classical antiquities and he formed collections of china, pictures, coins and books. The coin collection was sold to the Earl of Pembroke, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Venetian ambassador Cornaro in order to raise money for his building projects at Narford. A disastrous fire at White's Chocolate House in St. James's, London, destroyed many of Sir Andrew's collection of miniatures, where they were housed before being removed to Narford. The Fountaine collection of Palissy ware, Limoges enamels, Henri Deux ware and majolica was sold in these rooms 16-19 June 1884.
Fountaine's advice was sought by English collectors of classical antiquities and he formed collections of china, pictures, coins and books. The coin collection was sold to the Earl of Pembroke, the Duke of Devonshire, and the Venetian ambassador Cornaro in order to raise money for his building projects at Narford. A disastrous fire at White's Chocolate House in St. James's, London, destroyed many of Sir Andrew's collection of miniatures, where they were housed before being removed to Narford. The Fountaine collection of Palissy ware, Limoges enamels, Henri Deux ware and majolica was sold in these rooms 16-19 June 1884.