Skip to main content
Lot 186Y

24 May 2006, 14:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £840 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Gertrude Massey (British, 1868-1957)

The Hon. Mrs George Keppel (née Alice Edmonstone) (1869-1947), wearing white dress and pearl earrings.
Signed on obverse Gertrude Massey, gold frame, the reverse with opalescent glass over engine-turned foil.
Oval, 81mm (3 3/16in) high

Footnotes

Alice married George Keppel, son of William, 7th Earl of Albemarle in 1891. Even early on, Alice Keppel had a reputation for adultery. In 1898, Keppel met the future Edward VII and it was not long before Keppel became one of Edward's many mistresses despite a twenty-eight year age difference. Aristocratic and royal approval of Keppel was mixed. Edward's wife Alexandra was on good enough terms with Keppel to permit her at Edward's side when the King was on his deathbed. On the other hand, some high-ranking aristocrats were decidedly cool towards the King's mistress. Upon Edward's death, Keppel discreetly left for Ceylon for two years, although she later returned to England. Upon hearing that Edward VIII was renouncing the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, Keppel remarked that "things were done much better in my day."

The present lot was painted in 1904.

Additional information