Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), in white muslin dress with white double-frilled collar and gold double clasps on her sleeves, white veil and golden bandeau with greek-key pattern in her upswept curling brown hair

Details

A ROYAL GIFT: HENRY BONE, R.A. (BRITISH, 1755-1834)
Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), in white muslin dress with white double-frilled collar and gold double clasps on her sleeves, white veil and golden bandeau with greek-key pattern in her upswept curling brown hair
signed 'HBone' (lower right) and inscribed, signed and dated on the counter-enamel 'Her R.H. Princess Elizabeth London Dec. 1810: Painted by Henry Bone ARA Enamel Painter to the King and Prince of Wales after drawing by Edridge.'
enamel on copper
2 5/8 in. (68 mm.) diam., gilt-metal frame engraved 'H.R.H. PRINCESS ELIZABETH BORN 1810'

Provenance

Alleyne FitzHerbert, Baron St. Helens (1753-1839).

Literature

Catalogue of Pictures and Curios at Tissington Hall, 1887, by Ida, daughter of Sir William FitzHerbert, 4th Bt., as 'Miniature of Princess Elizabeth dau of King George 3rd...in green leather case, also a painting on ivory of that princess belonging to Lord St. Helens'

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.

Sale room notice

The National Portrait Gallery contains a sketch of the present miniature inscribed 'Princess Elizabeth for Lord St Hellens, Edridge 1811'. Edridges's original, full-length watercolour of 1804, after which the enamel was possibly adapted and painted is in the Royal Collection (inv. no. RL 13685). For more see R. Walker, 'Henry Bone's Pencil Drawings in the National Portrait Gallery', The Walpole Society, LXI, London, 1999, no. 181, p. 323.

Lot Essay

As well as St. Helens' close friendship with King George III, Queen Charlotte, and the Prince Regent, he was a valued confidant of Princess Elizabeth, who regarded him as her "dear and invaluable saint", and wrote in a letter to Lady Harcourt in 1808 "It is always holiday with me when he is here, for I love him to my heart and may say it...There is no man of my acquaintance I love so well, and his kindness to me is never varied, and that is a thing I never forget. His advice is my rudder, his approbation my delight".

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