Lot Essay
James Tassie (d,1799) was an entrepreneur artist, sculptor and impression-maker. His greatest success was in copying antique gems in a vitreous paste that became his basic working material after he moved to London from 1766. He made an annual tour of Scotland, making portraits as he went.
Thomas Cooper: Described as 'of America' in J.M. Gray, James and William Tassie, Edinburgh, 1894
Jane Graham: the sister of Rev. James Grahame, the poet and author of The Sabbath. A Tassie medallion of Jane Grahame was sold from the collection of the late K.E. Houston, Esq., Sotheby's London, 15 January 1968
Dugald Stewart (1753-1828): a metaphysician, illustrated ibid., pl. XVII. A bust of Stewart by Samuel Joseph (d.1850) is in the University of Edinburgh.
Margaret Mair: wife of John Mair (d.1824) of Plantation. He was a Glasgow merchant whose medallion was also executed by Tassie in 1797.
Thomas Cooper: Described as 'of America' in J.M. Gray, James and William Tassie, Edinburgh, 1894
Jane Graham: the sister of Rev. James Grahame, the poet and author of The Sabbath. A Tassie medallion of Jane Grahame was sold from the collection of the late K.E. Houston, Esq., Sotheby's London, 15 January 1968
Dugald Stewart (1753-1828): a metaphysician, illustrated ibid., pl. XVII. A bust of Stewart by Samuel Joseph (d.1850) is in the University of Edinburgh.
Margaret Mair: wife of John Mair (d.1824) of Plantation. He was a Glasgow merchant whose medallion was also executed by Tassie in 1797.