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

Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more

Details

RICHARD COSWAY, R.A. (BRITISH, 1742-1821)
A young lady called Lady Wellesley, in white dress with frilled collar and scarlet bow at bodice, decorated with loops of beads of alternating shades of red, with matching necklace; sky background
signed and dated on the backing card 'R^{d<\sup>^{u<\sup>^{s<\sup> Cosway / R.A. / Primarius Pictor / Serenissimi Walliae / Principis / Pinxt: / 1788}}}'
on ivory
oval, 2.5/8 in. (67 mm.) high, gold fausse-montre frame with plaited hair reverse centred with gold initial 'W'

Provenance

With D. S. Lavender (Antiques) Ltd., in 1995.

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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Katharine Cooke

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Lot Essay

A copy of the present miniature in a pierced diamond-set frame formerly in the collection of C. H. Hawkins was sold Sotheby's, London, 17 July 1972, lot 86. It is in D. Foskett, Collecting Miniatures, Woodbridge, 1979, and Miniatures. Dictionary and Guide, Woodbridge, 1987, in both publications illustrated p. 470, pl. 143D and described as 'Called Lady Wellesley, after Cosway'.
A similar miniature by Cosway of a lady in white dress decorated with pearls and set with reddish-orange bow at corsage was sold Christie's, London, 8 March 1995, lot 156.

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