RICHARD COSWAY, R.A. (BRITISH, 1742-1821)
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RICHARD COSWAY, R.A. (BRITISH, 1742-1821)

Details
RICHARD COSWAY, R.A. (BRITISH, 1742-1821)
Major General John Scott, in scarlet uniform with yellow facings
On ivory
Oval, 43 mm. high, gilt-metal bracelet frame, the reverse engraved 'Gen. John Scott / by R. Cosway RA.'
Provenance
By descent (probably) from the sitter to Hubert George de Burgh-Canning, 2nd Marquess of Clanricarde (1832-1916), by whom bequeathed to his great-nephew, Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood (1882- 1947), and by descent at Harewood House, Yorkshire.
Literature
Recorded in 1916 inventory The Most Honourable The Marquis of Clanrikarde, K.P. Deceased - Inventory of the Collection of Pictures, China, Furniture, Decorative Objects, Silver, Etc, 1916, p. 80 (as 'in the manner of Cosway').
Recorded in the inventory of Chesterfield House, 1920 (as 'Attributed to Cosway').
Special notice
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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Adrian Hume Sayer
Adrian Hume Sayer

Lot Essay

The identification on the reverse of the frame, and the existence of a portrait miniature of Margaret Scott, née Dundas within the same collection, suggests the sitter is Major General John Scott of Balcomie and Scotstarvit (1725-1775). However, the apparent age of the sitter makes this identification somewhat uncertain.
Major General John Scott was a Scottish politician and senior officer in the British Army. His nickname was Pawky Scott ('pawky' being a Scottish term for a sly person or trickster). He is said to have gained great wealth from gambling and that he won a bet with Sir Lawrence Dundas in which he won Dundas House, which is now home to the Royal Bank of Scotland's headquarters, but he was persuaded by Dundas to let him build a new house instead. Bellevue Lodge was built and this became the home of the Scott family.

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