Auction 02: Rare 18th–19th Century Portrait Miniatures & Mourning Jewellery — Melis Antiques & Art

2026-12-03 19:00

• LOT 1: English School, in the Manner of Richard Cosway (1742–1821) – A Rare Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Lady Identified as Miss Burns, Traditionally Dated 1787, in a Gold Pendant Frame, with an Elaborate Sepia Mourning Scene, Angel, Goldwork, Seed Pearls and Hairwork to the Reverse; Reported Provenance: Bonhams London, 2008
• LOT 2: A Fine Signed Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, in the Style of Richard Cosway, circa 1800 – White Lace Dress and Blue Ribbon, in a Pendant-Brooch Frame with Woven Hairwork and Gilt Monogram to the Reverse
• LOT 3: A Fine Late Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1800 – Wearing a Dark Coat and White Cravat, in an Oval Gold Pendant Frame
• LOT 4: Lady Isabella Brydges (1776–1850) – An exceptionally fine, large-format English Important portrait miniature. Attributed to Peter Edward Stroely, British Period, circa 1812 - Jane Austen Connection.
• LOT 5: A Rare and Exceptional 18th-Century European Portrait Miniature of a Young Mother Breastfeeding Her Infant, Watercolour on Natural Substrate, Set into a Fine Circular Tortoiseshell Box with Gold Mount – An Intimate and Historically Significant Maternal Portrait
• LOT 6: A Rare and Exquisite 18th-Century English Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, Set in a Gold Brooch with Ribbon and Bow Motifs Adorned with Rose-Cut Diamonds
• LOT 7: A Fine Georgian English Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1810 – Wearing a Brown Coat with a Black Collar and White Cravat, Watercolour on Natural Substrate, in Its Original Ebonised Frame with Gilt Mount and Decorative Leaf Suspension
• LOT 8: Beautiful Miniature circa 1810 Portrait of MADAME DE LA VALLIERE (1644 – 1710)
• LOT 9: A Fine French Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, Consulate or First Empire Period, circa 1800–1810 – Watercolour on Natural Substrate, in a Square Wooden Frame with a Chased Gilt-Bronze Circular Mount
• LOT 10: A Fine Georgian English Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, circa 1790 – Wearing a Blue-Green Coat and White Cravat, Watercolour on Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Rose Gold Oval Pendant Frame
• LOT 11: Joseph Daniel (c. 1760–1803) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a Flower-Sprigged Dress, circa 1790 – Watercolour on Natural Substrate, in an Engraved Gold Oval Bracelet Slide Frame – Bonhams, London, 21 November 2007, Lot 167
• LOT 12: HOMAS FOX – AN UNUSUALLY LARGE, SIGNED AND DATED BRITISH PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A MARITIME MERCHANT, WITH SHIPS AND COASTAL LANDSCAPE – LONDON, 1834 – PROVENANCE: BONHAMS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, 1996; BRIGADIER G. VINER, LIMNER ANTIQUES, BOND STREET.
• LOT 13: Bernard Lens III (1682–1740) – An exquisite English oval portrait miniature of a gentleman in a blue coat, set in a gold-backed frame – Distinguished provenance: Brigadier G. Viner; Limner Antiques, Bond Street, London; Bonhams probate description.
• LOT 14: JEREMIAH MEYER (1735–1789) – A FINE GEORGIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A GENTLEMAN IN A GOLD-BRAIDED BLUE COAT – PROVENANCE: BRIGADIER G. VINER, LIMNER ANTIQUES, BOND STREET; BONHAMS PROBATE DESCRIPTION.
• LOT 15: HUET VILLIERS (1772–1813) – A FINE GEORGIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF MAJOR THOMAS OTWAY-COVE, CIRCA 1800 – GOLD-BACKED FRAME – PROVENANCE: BRIGADIER G. VINER, LIMNER ANTIQUES, BOND STREET; BONHAMS PROBATE DESCRIPTION.
• LOT 16: STE FOY CORDELLO – AN ELEGANT EARLY 19TH-CENTURY PORTRAIT MINIATURE SNUFF BOX, SIGNED AND DATED 1812
• LOT 17: RARE GEORGIAN 18CT GOLD BRACELET WITH A FINE PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A YOUNG BOY – ORIGINAL PERIOD SETTING, CIRCA 1820
• LOT 18: ATTRIBUTED TO ANDREW PLIMER (1763–1837) – A FINE LARGE-FORMAT ENGLISH PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN – GEORGIAN / REGENCY PERIOD, CIRCA 1800
• LOT 19: A FINE GEORGIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN AN OVAL FRAME – CIRCA 1800
• LOT 20: GERVASE SPENCER (D. 1763) – A FINE 18TH-CENTURY PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A LADY IN AN ORNATE GILT-METAL BRACELET SETTING – PROVENANCE: BONHAMS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, 1995, LOT 94
• LOT 21: SIR WILLIAM CHARLES ROSS (1794–1860) – A RARE GROUP OF THREE EARLY VICTORIAN PORTRAIT MINIATURES, INCLUDING A PORTRAIT TRADITIONALLY IDENTIFIED AS PRINCE ALBERT – ROYAL COURT CONNECTION, CIRCA 1838
• LOT 22: Attributed to William Armfield Hobday (1771–1831) – An Exquisite Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, circa 1800
• LOT 23: Thomas Hazlehurst (1740–1821) – A Fine Signed English Regency Portrait Miniature of an Elegant Young Lady, circa 1810, in a Red Leather Case
• LOT 24: English School, circa 1820 – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of an Elegant Gentleman in Period Attire, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Leather Travelling Case – Bonhams, London, 2007
• LOT 25: English School, circa 1810–1820 – A Fine Regency Mourning Silhouette Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, in an Ornate Gilt Pendant Frame with Woven Hairwork on the Reverse – Formerly in the Possession of Lord Monro of Langholm. It is possible that the figure depicted in this silhouette represents Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852)
• LOT 26: An exquisite and finely executed English portrait miniature from the late Georgi
• LOT 27: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman with Dark Curly Hair, circa 1810, in a Gilt Pendant Frame.
• LOT 28: A Rare 18th-Century Oil-on-Copper Portrait Miniature of an Elegant Gentleman in Aristocratic Attire, circa 1740, in an Antique Gilt-Metal Pendant Frame
• LOT 29: A Rare Early 19th-Century American Portrait Miniature of an Elegant Young Lady, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in an Oval Gilt-Brass Mount within a Circular Black Frame
• LOT 30: A Fine Georgian Oil Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, circa 1810, in an Elegant Frame
• LOT 31: A Fine Portrait Miniature of Marie Antoinette (1755–1793), Queen of France – Watercolour and Pencil, Set into a Circular Natural-Material Box, After an 18th-Century Portrait, with Reference to Joseph Boze (1745–1826)
• LOT 32: A Fine British Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1830, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in an Ornate Gilt Brooch and Pendant Frame, with Prince of Wales Feather Hairwork, Gold Wire and Seed Pearls on the Reverse – Reported Sample / Semple Family Provenance
• LOT 33: Attributed to George Engleheart (1750–1829) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, circa 1790, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt-Metal Pendant Frame with Plaited Hair and Seed-Pearl Monogram on the Reverse
• LOT 34: A Fine British Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, circa 1800–1810, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Pendant Frame, with Mourning Hairwork and a Seed-Pearl Anchor on the Reverse
• LOT 35: Richard Crosse (1742–1810) – A Fine Early Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Blue Coat, circa 1760, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Locket Frame – Formerly in the Frederick Joachim Collection
• LOT 36: Attributed to Samuel Shelley (1750–1808) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of an English Gentleman, circa 1800, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Oval Frame – Stride & Son, December 2008
• LOT 37: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Blue Coat, circa 1790 – Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in an Oval Gilt-Metal Pendant Frame
• LOT 38: Ozias Humphry (1742–1810) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, circa 1780, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Red Leather Travelling Case – Bonhams, London, September 2008
• LOT 39: A Fine Large English Regency Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1820 – Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Pendant Frame with Elaborate Hairwork, Gold Thread and Seed Pearls on the Reverse
• LOT 40: A Rare French Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, Late 18th or Early 19th Century, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Frame with a Suspended Gold-Coloured and Enamel Cross of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, Instituted in 1693
• LOT 41: Attributed to Andrew Plimer (1763–1837) – An Exceptional Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, Late 18th Century, in a Gold Frame with Blue and White Enamel and Gem-Set Decoration, with an Elaborate Sepia Mourning Scene on the Reverse
• LOT 42: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of an English Gentleman, circa 1800, Signed with the Monogram “VB f.” or “VD f.” – Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Circular Gilt Frame
• LOT 43: Joseph Daniel (c. 1760–1803) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, Late 18th Century, Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt-Metal Pendant Frame
• LOT 44: English School – A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Young Boy Wearing a White Lace Collar, circa 1850, in a Gilt-Metal Frame with Plaited Hair on the Reverse
• LOT 45: Marie Antoinette (1755–1793), Dauphine of France – A Rare French Portrait Miniature, circa 1770–1774, in an 18-Carat Gold Frame Set with Seed Pearls, Inscribed on the Reverse
• LOT 46: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1800 – Oil on a Natural Substrate, in an Ornate 15-Carat Gold Brooch Frame
• LOT 47: A Fine English Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman in a Blue Coat, circa 1820 – Watercolours on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt-Metal Pendant Frame
• LOT 48: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman Identified as Mr. Cheyne, Late 18th century, circa 1790–1800 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, with Hairwork and Blue Enamel on the Reverse
• LOT 49: A Fine Georgian English Portrait Miniature of an Elegant Lady Wearing a Feathered Silk Hat, circa 1800 – Gold-Plated Pendant Frame with Elaborate Hairwork on the Reverse
• LOT 50: A Fine Signed Victorian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman with a Blue Bow Tie, Dated 1851 – Original Gilt Frame with a Glazed Keepsake Compartment on the Reverse
• LOT 51: A Rare French Empire Portrait Miniature of Pauline Bonaparte, Princess Borghese, Sister of Napoleon I – Signed Raxas or Roxas, Attributed to José de Roxas y Sarrio, circa 1800, in an Elaborate Gilt Frame
• LOT 52: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young English Gentleman, Dated 1789 – Signed S.I., Samuel Ireland (1744–1800), in a Probably Gold Pendant Frame with Dark Blue Enamel and a Keepsake Compartment on the Reverse
• LOT 53: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Blue-Eyed Lady, circa 1790 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Tested 9ct Gold Pendant Frame
• LOT 54: A Fine Georgian English Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a White Dress, circa 1795 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Later Metal Pendant Frame
• LOT 55: A Fine Late Georgian English Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman with Silver-Grey Hair and a Royal Blue Coat, circa 1790–1800 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Reeded Brass Pendant Frame
• LOT 56: A Fine Early Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Blue Coat and Crimson Cloak, circa 1720 – Studio of Bernard Lens III (1682–1740), in a Decorative Gilt-Metal Frame; Provenance: Bonhams, London, 2004
• LOT 57: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1800–1815 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Tested 14ct Gold Pendant Frame with Braided Hairwork on the Reverse
• LOT 58: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, circa 1780 – Attributed to Richard Crosse (1742–1810), Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Decorative 9ct Gold Pendant Frame
• LOT 59: A Fine European Portrait Miniature of a Blue-Eyed Child Holding a Basket of Pears in a Rose Garden, circa 1800 – Attributed to Bernhard Edler von Schrötter (1772–1842), in a Decorative Oval Gilt Frame
• LOT 60: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Blue Coat, By Thomas Le Hardy (fl. 1794–1802), Late 18th Century – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Gold Frame with Blue Enamel and Braided Hairwork on the Reverse; Bonhams, Lot 101, 2002
• LOT 61: A Fine Late Georgian English Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman with Powdered Hair and a Dark Blue Coat, circa 1798 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Pendant Frame with Decorative Glass Reverse
• LOT 62: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1807 – Attributed to J. Fruman, Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Gold Pendant Frame with Blue Glass and Braided Hairwork on the Reverse
• LOT 63: An Irish Portrait Miniature of Barbara Wilson in a Pale Blue Dress, 18th Century – Historical Inscription on the Reverse Dated 25 September 1729, in an Engraved 15ct Gold Pendant Frame
• LOT 64: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a White Dress, Dated 1794 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Gold Pendant Frame with Blue Glass, Braided Hairwork and a Historical Label on the Reverse
• LOT 65: Bernard Lens III (1682–1740) – A Portrait Miniature of King Henry II of England, from the English Heads of State Series, Signed and Dated 1729 – Watercolour and Gold on Vellum, in an Original Lens-Type Ebonised Wood Frame; Provenance: Bonhams, 2003, Lot 23
• LOT 66: A Fine English Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, circa 1790–1800 – Oil on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Gold Pendant Frame with Hairwork, Seed Pearls and Gold Decoration on the Reverse
• LOT 67: A Fine English Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, Late 18th to Early 19th Century – Oil on a Natural Substrate, in an Embossed Gold plated Pendant Frame with Trefoil Hairwork on the Reverse
• LOT 68: A Fine English Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, Late 18th to Early 19th Century – Oil on a Natural Substrate, in an Oval Silver-Gilt Frame with a Deep Burgundy Reverse
• LOT 69: Sir William John Newton (1785–1869) – A Signed and Dated Portrait Miniature of R. Corbould, 1828, Late Georgian Period – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Original Frame with British Floral Emblems; Provenance: Bonhams, London, May 2003, Lot 100
• LOT 70: Walter Stephens Lethbridge (1771–1831) – A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of Mr Furse, circa 1810 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Original Black Frame with an Ornate Gilt Oval Surround and Foliate Suspension Fitting; Historical Artist's Inscription on the Reverse
• LOT 71: James Warren Childe (1780–1862) – A Fine English Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman, Signed and Dated 1827 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Ornate Embossed Gold-Plated Circular Pendant Frame, with Historical Inscriptions on the Reverse
• LOT 72: M. Rouvier (1750–1815) – A Signed French Portrait Miniature of an Officer in Revolutionary and Napoleonic-Era Uniform, circa 1800 – Oil on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Pendant Frame, with an Allegorical Scene of Classical Ruins and the Inscription “Amitié” (Friendship) on the Reverse
• LOT 73: English School, Georgian Period – A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman in a Blue Coat with a Red Collar, circa 1800–1810 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Gold Pendant Frame
• LOT 74: Continental European School – A Rare Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman with His Dog, circa 1800 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, Against a Landscape Background, in Its Original Gilt Octagonal Frame
• LOT 75: British School, 18th Century – A Rare Historical Portrait Miniature of Captain John Dixon, Pacific Navigator and Sea Captain, Traditionally Dated to Rome, circa 1779 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Rose Gold Case with a Glazed Memorial Compartment and Accompanying Family Provenance Document
• LOT 76: English School, Georgian Period – An Exceptionally Fine and Rare Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a White Dress with a Lace Collar, Signed, circa 1800 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Octagonal Frame
• LOT 77: Francis Cotes (1726–1770) – A Rare and Exquisite English Portrait Miniature of Mrs Hester Chapman, née Mills, Mid-18th Century, 1748 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Original Ornate Gold Scrollwork Frame, Converted from a Bracelet Mount into a Brooch
• LOT 78: George Hargreaves (1797–1870) – An Exceptionally Fine English Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a Deep Purple Dress with Elaborately Arranged Ringlets, Dated 1842 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a Gilt Oval Mount and Original Decorated Red Leather Case
• LOT 79: Georgian Period – A Fine Initialled Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman in a Dark Blue Coat, Dated 1798 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in a 9ct Gold Pendant Frame with Woven Hairwork and a Gilt Monogram on the Reverse
• LOT 80: English School, Georgian Period – An Exceptionally Fine and Rare Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a Red Gown, circa 1800 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Original Turquoise-Green Shagreen Case with Metal Fittings
• LOT 81: Georgian Period – A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Dark Coat and Black Neckcloth, Early 19th Century, circa 1820–1840 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Oval Gilt Brass Pendant Frame with a Hairwork and Seed Pearl Memorial Compartment on the Reverse
• LOT 82: European School, Probably Dutch – A Rare Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady Holding a White Dove, with a Historical Inscription Bearing the Name De Boetselaer and the Date 21 September 1779 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Ornate Silver-Gilt Frame Set with Green Foil-Backed Stones
• LOT 83: Georgian Period – An Exceptionally Fine Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady in a White Gown, circa 1805 – Watercolour on a Natural Substrate, in an Original Round Red Leather Case
• LOT 84: James Leakey (1775–1865) – A Fine English Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Red Coat, circa 1815 – Painting on a Natural Substrate, in a Gold Faux Montre Frame, from the Bernard Franck Collection (1848–1924)
• LOT 85: Late Georgian Period – A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Young Lady, in a Chased Gold and Cobalt Blue Enamel Frame, Early 19th Century
• LOT 86: A Rare Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman Wearing a Powdered Wig, Identified as Alford, Earl of Old Borough – In an Engraved Gold Brooch Frame, 18th Century
• LOT 87: A Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman Wearing a Black Cravat – In a 9ct Gold Frame with Sentimental Hairwork and Seed Pearls to the Reverse; Inscribed W. J. Littlehales, London, c.1800–1820
• LOT 88: A Fine Late Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in Profile, c.1830 – In an Ornate Gold Foliate-Scroll Pendant Frame with a Glazed Sentimental Hairwork Compartment to the Reverse
• LOT 89: Rare Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman, in an 18ct Gold Rope-Twist Frame, with Sentimental Hairwork and Gilt Monograms to the Reverse, in Its Original Leather Case – England, Early 19th Century
• LOT 90: Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Red Coat and Powdered Wig, by John Russell (1745–1829), Signed and Dated J.R. 1765, in a Bracelet-Clasp Frame – England, 18th Century.
• LOT 91: Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a Black Coat and Dark Cravat, in an Embossed Gilt Frame with Engine-Turned Reverse – Early 19th Century
• LOT 92: Fine English School of Richard Cosway Portrait Miniature of a Young Gentleman in a Dark Coat and White Cravat, in an Oval Gold Frame – Circa 1790
• LOT 93: Fine Georgian Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman in a 9ct Gold Frame Set with Pearls, with Brooch Fitting, Pendant Loop and Hairwork Reverse – Circa 1800
• LOT 94: A Rare Pair of 18th-Century Portrait Miniatures of a Husband and Wife – A Gentleman in an Elaborately Decorated Military Uniform and a Lady in a Red Dress with a White Shawl, in Circular Gilt Frames; the Gentleman's Portrait Indistinctly Signed
• LOT 95: An Imperial Portrait Miniature of Franz II (1768–1835), Last Holy Roman Emperor and Franz I of Austria, Wearing White Court Dress and Orders of Chivalry, in an Oval Gilt Frame – Late 18th or Early 19th Century; Reported Provenance: Christie's London
• LOT 96: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – A Pair of Victorian Royal Portrait Miniatures, Oil on Porcelain, Set in a Magnificent Gilt Ormolu Frame with Intricate Openwork Metal Lace Decoration, a Royal Crown and a Folding Easel Stand – England, 19th Century.