"Mrs. Crouch" dated 1792, an aristocratic oval love-token portrait on ivory, set into a marked 18K gold frame with English hallmarks. An intimate portrait with powered coiffure, bare shoulders and pearl necklace. Mrs. Crouch was said to be one of the lovers of George IV, Prince of Wales in 1792. The simple oval gold frame measures approx. 3" x 2-1/2", without the bail, and has a convex glass recto and verso. The title and date are inscribed in ink showing through the back.
Mrs. Anna Maria Crouch was beautiful young singer and actress to whom George IV of England gave a bond for 10,000 pounds. Captain Jack Payne went to her Haymarket house in 1793 and negotiated the settlement down to 1,000 guineas, had she but known he had 2,000 more in the coach. Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th-Century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th and 18th Centuries. It was especially valuable in introducing people to each other over distances; a nobleman proposing the marriage of his daughter might send a courier with her portrait to visit potential suitors. Soldiers and sailors might carry miniatures of their loved ones while travelling, or a wife might keep one of her husband while he was away. The first miniaturists used watercolor to paint on stretched vellum, but in the 18th Century, miniatures were also painted on ivory and enamel. As small in size as 1½ in × 1¼ in, portrait miniatures were often used as personal mementos or as jewelry or snuff box covers.
8,000/12,000 Sold $1,150.00
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