Sir Andrew Fountaine (1676-1753) was one of the keenest virtuosi of his age. He was the eldest son of Andrew Fountaine, M.P. of Narford, Norfolk, and his wife Sarah, daughter of Sir Thomas Crichley. Educated at Christ Church, Oxford, he was knighted by King 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, in 1701-1703 and in 1714-16, latterly becoming close friends with Cosimo III de'Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (see lot 182). In 1725, he was appointed vice-Chamberlain to Princess Caroline, an office he continued to hold when she became Queen. He was also tutor to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, and in 1727, succeeded Sir IsaacNewton as Warden of the Mint.
Fountaine was a keen collector of porcelain, pictures, coins and books. His advice was often sought by other collectors. Fountaine's coin collection was sold to the Earl of Pembroke, the Duke of Devonshire and the Venetian ambassador, in order to raise money for building projects at Narford, but a fire at White's Chocolate House in St James's, London, destroyed his collection of miniatures, which was being stored there. The Fountaine collection of Palissy ware, Limoges enamels, Henri Deux ware and majolica was sold Christie's, 16-19 June 1884.