AFTER PETER LELY, ENGLISH ENAMEL PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF MARY 'MOLL' DAVIS
19TH CENTURY
£504
Auction: Lots 1 - 335 | 04 September at 10am
Description
oval, enamel on copper, the sitter depicted with wavy brown hair loosely framing her face, wearing a short pearl necklace and yellow gown with a blue wrap over her shoulder, a lavender sash gathered at the bodice with a pearl brooch and sapphire brooch, in a gilt metal frame with suspension loop and pierced spiral cresting
Dimensions
7.5cm x 6cm [sight size]
Footnote
Note: Mary ‘Moll’ Davis, was a Restoration actress, singer and comedian in the 1660s and was known for her beauty and charm. She was a rival of her contemporary Nell Gwyn for the attention and affection of King Charles II and was known to flaunt the trappings from her association with him. In 1668 she gave birth to a daughter by the king, but was released from her role as a courtesan soon afterward, and provided with a stipend of £1,000 per annum and a house on St. James Square. As a celebrated actress and lady of society, she was painted by the preminent portraitist Sir Peter Lely on several occasions.