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Lot 194Y

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

Sold for £600 inc. premium

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Gertrude Massey (British, 1868-1957)

H.M. King Haakon VII of Norway (1872–1957), wearing uniform and Orders.
Signed on obverse Gertrude Massey, gilt-metal frame with velvet reverse.
Oval, 102mm (4in) high

Footnotes

In 'Kings, Commoners and Me' Massey describes how the King of Norway did not actually sit to her, but that she took notes on his colouring and character and these along with a photograph were her source. Her commissioned portrait of the King, similar in style to the present lot is illustrated facing p.76 of the same book. The King requested to be portrayed "As an English admiral" and said "I do not want a lot of medals - only those I must wear". Fulfilling this request gave Massey great difficulty, as she had to research each medal and the order in which they should be worn together.

Haakon VII of Norway was the first king of Norway after the 1905 dissolution of the personal union with Sweden. As one of the few elected monarchs, Haakon quickly won the respect and affection of his people and played a pivotal role in uniting the Norwegian nation in its resistance of the attack and five-year-long Nazi occupation during World War II.

Additional information