George Chinnery

Portrait of Edward Richard Barwell (1786-1846), 1809

Restricted Species

Lot Closed

April 28, 03:59 PM GMT

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from an Important British Private Collection

George Chinnery

London 1774 - 1852 Macau

Portrait of Edward Richard Barwell (1786-1846), 1809

Watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, gold frame, glazed reverse;

signed, dated verso: G Chinnery / Dacca / June 1809, extensively inscribed by the artist with conservation notes, further inscribed in another hand: Mr E^d Barwell

75 by 57 mm.

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.

According to Chinnery's inscription, this miniature was painted in 1809 in Dacca, India. It portrays Edward Barwell, a young member of the East India Company who had arrived in on the subcontinent - from England – nine years previously.

The Barwells had long been associated with India. Edward's grandfather, William (1705-1769), had travelled there in the early 1720s and by 1748 he had been appointed Governor of Fort William in Bengal. Edward's father's, Richard (1741-1804) was born in Calcutta and had served as a member of the Council of Bengal under his close friend Warren Hastings (1732-1818). His activities ensured that he returned to England in 1780 with a vast fortune. The following year he acquired the Stanstead Estate in Sussex for just over £100,000, and it was there that Edward Barwell was born.

Before his departure for India, the sitter was painted with his brother Charles by the young Thomas Lawrence.

We are grateful to Neil Jeffares for his help when cataloguing this lot.