Henry Bone, R.A. (British, 1755-1834) Sir Henry Spelman (antiquary)
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Henry Bone, R.A. (British, 1755-1834)
Sir Henry Spelman (c.1562-1641), seated in a red upholstered chair with studded gold edge and fringe, wearing olive green cloak with mauve lining, black doublet, white chemise, white lace ruff, gold skull cap with white lace trim, his left hand held close to his chest and clutching a scrolled manuscript, beside him a table of red cloth, upon which, sits an open book and a magnifying glass.
Enamel, inscribed on the counter-enamel Sir Henry Spelman, Antiquary/ Born 1562 - Died 1641/ in his 80th Year./ London/ March. 1821./ Painted by Henry Bone R.A./ Enamel-painter to His Majesty/ after the Original picture/ in the possession of Andrew Fountaine/ Esq. Narford-Hall, Norfolk, gilt-metal slip engraved ENAMEL. HBONE. R.A., gilt wood frame with pierced foliate border.
Rectangular, 212mm (8 3/8in) high
Sold for £6,250 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • Sir Henry Spelman was born in Congham, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, the eldest son of Henry Spelman (d.1581) and his second wife, Frances Saunders (d.1622). After Cambridge he studied law, but disliked the subject so much he devoted his time to the study of history. It was around this time that he helped to found the Society of Antiquaries, to which he delivered papers on such topics as the state of the kingdom's coinage. Spelman served Castle Rising as MP in 1593 and again between 1597-98 and later served as MP for Worcester in 1625.

    On the 18th April 1590 Spelman married Eleanor (d.1620), daughter and co-heir of John L'Estrange of Sedgeford, Norfolk. They had four sons, two of whom predeceased him, and four daughters.

    He was knighted in 1603 and appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk the following year. In 1627, Spelman became treasurer of the Guiana Company, and a passionate member of the council for New England. His general services to the state were recognized in 1636 with a gift of money and two years later by the offer of the mastership of the Hospital at Charterhouse in Smithfield, London.

    Spelman's histories include 'Concilia Ecclesiastica Orbis Britannici' and 'Glossarium Archaiologicum' (completed by William Dugdale). His 'Reliquiae Spelmannianae' was edited by Edmund Gibson in 1698.

Category: Fine Art / Portrait Miniatures

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