Henry Pierce Bone miniature, Earl of Kilmorey family

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An enamel on copper miniature portrait of Jane Needham, Mrs Myddleton (1646-92) by Henry Pierce Bone, after the painting by Sir Peter Lely, commissioned by Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland, now displayed at Althorp. It is interesting to note there are also a number of miniatures by Henry Pierce Bone in the Spencer Collection. The present miniature is inscribed on the reverse and dated Sept 1842.

Jane Needham was the daughter of Sir Robert Needham, nephew of the 1st Viscount Kilmorey, and Jane Cockayne. In 1660 she married Charles Myddleton of Ruabon in Wales. She was one of the 'Windsor Beauties', a series of eleven portraits of celebrated women commissioned by Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, and painted by Lely around 1662-5. She was pursued by both King Charles II and the Duke of York but was never a royal mistress although she was a mistress to the Duke of Montagu and later the Earl of Rochester. Pepys also described her as being a skilful amateur painter.

Henry Pierce Bone (1779-1855) was born in Islington, a son of Henry Bone R.A. He was educated at Tooting, and was taught the art of enamelling by his father. He entered the Royal Academy Schools on 17th March 1796 and exhibited at the Royal Academy, Society of British Artists and British Institution, 1799-1855.
He is best known for his enamels and signed his miniatures in full on the reverse, usually adding the name of the painter if the work was painted after another artist, in our example 'by Lely'. Bone was appointed enamel painter to the Queen, the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria in 1833, and to Prince Albert in 1841. 63 portrait pieces by him are part of the Royal Collection and further examples can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Pricep.o.a. Dimensions10cms Date 1842 Victorian Antiques Material Enamel Origin English Condition Excellent condition Item code as988a040 Status For Sale

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