Bonhams 1793 : English School, circa 1700 A double-sided portrait of William III (1650–1702) and Mary II (1662–1694): the former, wearing suit of armour, blue sash, white lace cravat, long black wig, his crown on a red cushion to the right; the latter, wearing red dress, ermine mantle, her dark hair curled, a skull on a covered table to the left

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25 May 2011 14:00 BST London, Knightsbridge
Fine Portrait Miniatures Including the Judy & Brian Harden Collection
Back to auction 18840

English School, circa 1700

A double-sided portrait of William III (1650–1702) and Mary II (1662–1694): the former, wearing suit of armour, blue sash, white lace cravat, long black wig, his crown on a red cushion to the right; the latter, wearing red dress, ermine mantle, her dark hair curled, a skull on a covered table to the left.
Watercolour on vellum, gilt-metal locket with garnet border.
Oval, 18mm (11/16in) high (2)

Sold for £1,200 inc. premium

Footnotes

William III of Orange-Nassau reigned as William III over England and Ireland, (as William II in Scotland) following the Glorious Revolution. Many Protestants heralded him as a champion of their faith. William's cousin, Mary was the eldest daughter of James II and since her uncle, Charles II had no legitimate heir, Mary was second in line to the throne after her father.

William and Mary were married in 1677. Mary's animated and affable nature made her popular with the Dutch people, and her marriage to a Protestant prince pleased her British subjects. Mary relinquished most of her authority to her husband, although he heavily relied on her. She did, however, govern the realms alone when William was engaged in military campaigns abroad, proving herself to be a powerful, firm, and effective ruler.

Category: Fine Art / Portrait Miniatures

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