JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/43-1811)

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Details

JOHN SMART (BRITISH, 1742/43-1811)
A girl, thought to be of the Wilcocks, Milner or Lodge family, in blue satin gown with frilled lace neckline, a faceted citrine adorning the neckline, another securing a white satin mantle to her right shoulder, upswept fair hair dressed with a gauze veil; together with a charter of arms dated 1798, enclosed in gilt-embossed leather case, and 18th Century Lodge and Wilcocks family papers
signed with initials 'J.S.' (lower right)
on ivory
oval, 1 15/16 in. (49 mm.) high, modern gilt-metal locket frame
The vellum charter grants John Lodge the right to bear the arms and surname of Wilcocks and is signed by Sir Isaac Heard (1730-1822), Principal King of Arms, and Thomas Lock, Clarenceux King of Arms, with their wax seals attached. The contemporary leather case is embossed with the monogram of King George III. The family papers include the Lodge Family Pedigree from 1491-1793, Katherine Lodge's will, a copy of Joseph Wilcocks's (1724-1791) will, a Royal licence granting John Lodge the right to use the Wilcocks family name and arms in 1796, and the arms of the Episcopal see of Rochester, impaled with those of the Rt Reverend Dr Joseph Wilcocks, Lord Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westminster (1673-1756). (2)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. 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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Lot Essay

It has been suggested that the sitter is a member of either the Wilcocks, Milner or Lodge families. Joseph Wilcocks (1673-1756), Bishop of Gloucester and Dean of Westminster, began his impressive career as the chaplain to the English factory and embassy at Lisbon. It was there that he met and married Jane Milner (1697-1725), the daughter of the British Consul to Lisbon, John Milner. The couple are buried together in Westminster Abby, where their son, Joseph Wilcocks (1724-1791), erected a monument to them.

Joseph Wilcocks Jr. conducted a very successful career as a noted antiquarian and philanthropist. He was elected FSA in 1765 and counted Edmund Burke and Benjamin West amongst his friends. Wilcocks died of an apoplectic stroke on 23 December 1791 without having married. As a result, the Wilcocks name and arms were granted to John Lodge, the husband of Jane Milner's sister Katherine, by King George III in 1796. The family papers and charter of arms relating to the Lodge-Wilcocks change of title have historically been associated with the present miniature and those in lot 318.

The present miniature dates to circa 1775-1782 and therefore relates to the ensuing generation.

A 'Sir William' and 'Mrs R. S.' Milner are recorded on the list of Smart's known sitters, but the dates and signature details are not given (D. Foskett, John Smart, the Man and His Miniatures, London, 1964, p. 71).

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