The Pohl-Ströher Collection of Portrait Miniatures, Part III

JOHN SMART | PORTRAIT OF JAMES HUNTER BLAIR, LATER SIR JAMES, 1ST BT. (1741-1787)

VAT reduced rateRestricted Species

Auction Closed

December 5, 07:06 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

JOHN SMART

London 1741 - 1811

PORTRAIT OF JAMES HUNTER BLAIR, LATER SIR JAMES, 1^ST BT. (1741-1787)

Watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, gold frame, the reverse engraved with the sitter's name;

signed with the artist's initials and dated lower left: JS / 1771

37 by 32 mm.

Please note the following amendments to the printed catalogue This lot contains ivory. Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. US, France) Sotheby's recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby's will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby's assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby's shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer's inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

By family descent until,

sale, London, Christie's, 12 July 1983, lot 573

Foskett, 1964, p. 62

Along with Sir William Forbes, 6^th Bt. of Monymusk and Pitsligo (1739-1806), the sitter successful ran the Edinburgh banking firm of Forbes, Hunter, & Co. In the early 1780s he served as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh and in 1784 was appointed Lord Provost of the city. He was created a baronet in 1786.