Richard Cosway (1742-1821)
Box with inset miniature of George IV (1762-1830) when Prince of Wales c.1787-95
Tortoiseshell, enamel, diamonds, watercolour on ivory | 3.7 cm (sight diameter) (sight) | RCIN 4412
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A rectangular tortoiseshell box with blue enamel lid with inset miniature, surrounded by a frame of diamonds, of George IV when Prince of Wales: bust-length; in profile to the right; wearing 'Prince Florizel' dress, white coat with high collar, large buff-coloured plumed hat and the Garter ribbon; brown eyes, powdered hair; sky background.
This miniature stems from a whole-length drawing of the Prince in fancy dress, c.1785, made popular in an engraving by Sailliar of 1787. It may be one of the many miniatures of the Prince listed in the Cosway Accounts from 1785 to 1795.Provenance
Perhaps commissioned by George IV when Prince of Wales; given to Queen Mary on her coronation by Alfred Rothschild, 1911
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Medium and techniques
Tortoiseshell, enamel, diamonds, watercolour on ivory
Measurements
3.7 cm (sight diameter) (sight)
