Lot 78
A banded agate intaglio ring, circa 1840, depicting Prince Frederick Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827)
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Auction: 23 October 2024 From 14:00 BST
Description
The circular banded agate, carved to depict the profile of Prince Frederick Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827), looking right, dressed in classical military attire, engraved to the reverse HRH Fredk, Duke of York, within an oversized claw setting to a polished band, ring size R½ (band misshapen)
Provenance
By repute, from the private collection of a late well known London-based art historian. Hence by descent.
Footnote
Prince Frederick Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) was the second of fifteen children of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Now known as “the Grand old Duke of York”, he is most famous for his military career, both the highs and lows. In 1799 as a young commander he suffered military setbacks which led to the creation of the nursery rhyme “Grand old Duke of York”. However spurned on by these difficulties, when he became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army shortly thereafter, he instigated wide sweeping reforms which transformed the efficiency of the British military. Moved by the plight of orphaned children during the Napoleonic Wars, he took on humanitarian endeavours including the foundation of the Royal Military Asylum in Chelsea, London (now the Duke of York's Headquarters).
The carving of this intaglio is based on a marble bust by Sir Francis Chantrey (1781-1841). The bust was commissioned for the Junior United Service Club in 1835-36, demonstrating the Duke's remarkable legacy.
