A group of six family miniatures: The Earl of Clermont, facing left in black doublet slashed to reveal white, lace-bordered white Van Dyck style collar; Miss Murray, facing left in lace-bordered white dress with pink and white sleeves, pink rosettes on bodice and at corsage, lace choker and black ribbon tied around neck, pink bandeau in her upswept hair; Mary Cairnes, Lady Blayney, facing left in blue dress with white lace Van Dyck collar and blue rosette, falling gauze veil in her upswept hair; Miss Harriet Murray, full face in lace-bordered light blue dress embroidered at waist and elbow, pearl necklace and white flower in her upswept hair; Samuel Cuningham, later Lord Ropmore, facing left in gold-bordered scarlet coat, gold-bordered blue waistcoat and frilled cravat, hair en queue; and Mrs Cuningham, later Lady Ropmore, facing right in pink embroidered pale blue dress, black lace scarf draped over her shoulders, pink ribbon tied at neck and black scarf tied in her upswept dark hair

Details

GUSTAVUS HAMILTON (C. 1739-1775)
A group of six family miniatures: The Earl of Clermont, facing left in black doublet slashed to reveal white, lace-bordered white Van Dyck style collar; Miss Murray, facing left in lace-bordered white dress with pink and white sleeves, pink rosettes on bodice and at corsage, lace choker and black ribbon tied around neck, pink bandeau in her upswept hair; Mary Cairnes, Lady Blayney, facing left in blue dress with white lace Van Dyck collar and blue rosette, falling gauze veil in her upswept hair; Miss Harriet Murray, full face in lace-bordered light blue dress embroidered at waist and elbow, pearl necklace and white flower in her upswept hair; Samuel Cuningham, later Lord Ropmore, facing left in gold-bordered scarlet coat, gold-bordered blue waistcoat and frilled cravat, hair en queue; and Mrs Cuningham, later Lady Ropmore, facing right in pink embroidered pale blue dress, black lace scarf draped over her shoulders, pink ribbon tied at neck and black scarf tied in her upswept dark hair
The Earl of Clermont signed with initials 'GH/P' (mid-right), Miss Murray signed with initials and dated 'GH 1758' (mid-left), Lady Blayney signed with initials 'GH/P' (mid-right), Lord Ropmore signed with initials and dated 'GH 1758' and Lady Ropmore signed and dated 'GH 1758' (lower right)
oval, 1¼ in. (32 mm.) to 1 7/16 in. (36 mm.) high, common rectangular ebonised wood frame with seven apertures (6)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

William Henry Fortescue (1722-1806), M.P. for co. Louth 1745-1770, for Monaghan (borough) 1761-1770, Post Master General 1764-1784, was created Baron Clermont in 1773, Viscount and Baron Clermont in 1776 and Earl of Clermont in 1777. He was Customer and Collector of the Port of Dublin from 1784 until his death. He married Frances Cairnes, first daughter and coheir of Colonel John Murray, M.P. for co. Monaghan, by Mary, Dowager Baroness Blayney. They died without issue.

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