An exquisite and finely executed British portrait miniature from the first half of the 19th century, dating to circa 1830, depicting an elegantly dressed young gentleman in attire characteristic of the late Georgian period and the early reign of William IV. The work was executed in watercolours on a natural substrate and is distinguished by meticulous brushwork, soft colour transitions, and delicate treatment of the facial features, hair, and details of the clothing. The gentleman is depicted in a half-length portrait, with his face turned slightly to one side and his gaze directed towards the viewer. His eyes are light, of a blue-grey hue, his cheeks are slightly flushed, and his expression is calm and restrained. His reddish-brown hair is arranged in a relatively high hairstyle, with soft curls and prominent sideburns, characteristic of men's fashion in Britain during the 1820s and 1830s. He is dressed in a dark coat with a high collar, a light-coloured waistcoat with a checked pattern, and a white shirt. A black neckcloth is tied around his neck, completing his elegant and restrained appearance. The background, in soft shades of grey and pale purple, emphasises the gentleman's facial features and the tones of his hair, giving the portrait a sense of depth and intimacy. The Frame – An Ornate Brooch and Pendant The miniature is mounted in an elegant and ornate oval gilt frame, surrounded by openwork metal decoration in geometric and floral patterns. The frame is decorated with scrolling motifs, angular shapes, and small metal spheres, creating a symmetrical decorative composition. A suspension ring is fitted at the top, while a long metal pin is attached to the reverse of the frame, allowing the work to be worn either as a brooch or as a pendant. This combination was common in British portrait and memorial jewellery of the 19th century, intended to serve as personal objects of emotional and familial significance. Hairwork on the Reverse – Prince of Wales Feathers One of the most distinctive and remarkable features of the miniature is the elaborate hairwork on its reverse. Beneath the glass is an arrangement of light-brown hair, fashioned into a design of three stylised feathers, reminiscent of the heraldic emblem known as the Prince of Wales Feathers. The design consists of three principal sections, curving outwards and ending in delicate curls. At their base are gold-coloured metal wires and tiny seed pearls, creating a decorative ornament of symbolic character. The emblem of the three feathers is historically associated with the Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne, and has appeared for centuries in art, heraldry, and decorative objects. Elaborate hairwork was used in memorial jewellery of the late Georgian period and throughout the 19th century, sometimes combined with gold wire and tiny pearls. The hair of a loved one was preserved in pendants, brooches, and rings as a symbol of enduring emotional attachment, love, remembrance, and family affection. Such jewellery was sometimes used to commemorate the deceased, while in other cases it was exchanged as a personal keepsake between family members and spouses. The combination of the gentleman's portrait on the front and the hairwork on the reverse gives the miniature a particularly personal significance and reflects the British tradition of memorial jewellery of the early 19th century. Provenance – The Sample Family According to information provided by the previous seller in the United States, the miniature was formerly in the possession of an elderly lady named Letty Sample, who stated that it was a family heirloom and that her ancestors came from England. "The elderly lady who sold the portrait miniature to me was named Letty Sample, it was a family piece and her ancestors were from England." This testimony adds further interest to the provenance of the work, although it is based on information passed down orally rather than on genealogical documentation or inheritance records. The Family's Roots in Scotland The surname Sample, together with its various forms Semple and Sempel, is associated in genealogical traditions with families originating in Scotland. According to the historical information accompanying the work, the family's roots can be traced to the Renfrewshire region of western Scotland, where members of the family settled in early times and their names appeared in historical records. During the 18th and 19th centuries, members of families bearing these surnames emigrated to North America. Among the examples mentioned in the original description is John Semple, who settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1772. Other immigrants bearing the surname Sempel are also mentioned, including Alexander, Francis, Hugh, James, John, Joseph, Lewis, Mathew, Robert, Samuel, and William, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870. The Family Crest and Motto The original description mentions a family crest associated with the name Sample or Semple, featuring a heraldic shield and the motto: **“Keep Tryst”** Freely translated, this means "Remain Faithful" or "Keep Your Promise." The Scottish term Tryst refers to an agreed meeting or a commitment arranged in advance, and the motto expresses loyalty and the keeping of promises. Artistic Background – Miniatures and Memorial Jewellery in Britain circa 1830 During the first half of the 19th century, portrait miniatures were widespread in Britain, particularly among members of the aristocracy, high society, and the affluent classes. Miniatures of this kind served as family keepsakes and personal gifts and were sometimes mounted in jewellery that could be worn on the body. The combination of a portrait on the front and hairwork on the reverse carried a particularly strong emotional significance, as it united the likeness of the individual with a personal physical remnant. The portraits were sometimes executed by professional miniature painters, while the hairwork and frames were produced by craftsmen specialising in memorial jewellery. In terms of its approximate dating and characteristics, the present miniature belongs to this artistic and decorative tradition. Artistic and Collecting Significance The miniature combines several features of collecting interest: a finely executed British portrait of a young gentleman from the first half of the 19th century, an ornate gilt brooch and pendant frame, elaborate feather-pattern hairwork, the incorporation of gold-coloured metal wires and seed pearls, and a family provenance passed down with the object. The connection with the Sample / Semple family, whose traditional origins are associated with Scotland, adds historical interest and allows the work to be presented within a British family context. Classification: British, possibly Scottish Date: Circa 1830 Period: Early 19th century, reign of William IV Genre: Portrait Miniature of a Gentleman Mounted as a Brooch and Pendant Technique: Watercolours on a natural substrate Dimensions: Approximately 7.0 × 5.7 cm Frame: Gilt metal with ornate openwork decoration Reverse: Hairwork in the form of Prince of Wales Feathers Decorative Elements: Gold-coloured metal wires and seed pearls Provenance: Private Collection; formerly, according to the seller's account, in the possession of Letty Sample of the United States
Auction 02: Rare 18th–19th Century Portrait Miniatures & Mourning Jewellery — Melis Antiques & Art