Still-life of peonies and irises in a Chinese vase

Details

Maria Spartali Stillman (1844-1927)
Still-life of peonies and irises in a Chinese vase
signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'MS to BM 1921' (lower right)
pencil and watercolour with gum arabic heightened with bodycolour, unframed
20¾ x 14 in. (52.5 x 35.5 cm.)

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Sale room notice

Please note that Bella Stillman was William Stillman's daughter by Laura Mack and was therefore the artist's step-daughter. We are grateful to David Elliott for this information.

Lot Essay

The inscription 'MS to BM 1921' can almost certainly be read as 'Marie Stillman to Bella Middleton'. Bella Middleton (née Stillman), the artist's sister-in-law, was married to John Henry Middleton, son of the architect John Middleton and director of both the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and the South Kensington Museum.

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