Lot 78: Ann Shawe, in lace-bordered white dress with pink velvet overdress, lace-bordered white bonnet in her upswept and curled brown hair

ANDRÉ ROUQUET (SWISS, 1701-1758) Ann Shawe, in lace-bordered white dress with pink velvet overdress, lace-bordered white bonnet in her upswept and curled brown hair enamel oval, 1¾ in. (44 mm.) high, silver-gilt frame with reeded border, the reverse engraved 'Ann, Wife of William Shawe Esq: and elder sister of Sir Ellis Cunliffe, 1 s t.. Baronet.'

Ann Shawe, née Cunliffe, was born into a Liverpool merchant family. Her father, Foster Cunliffe (1682-1758) was descended from a Lancashire family and had made a considerable fortune in the slave trade in Liverpool and by the 1750s was the chief slave trader in the city. Cunliffe was mayor of Liverpool three times in 1716, 1729 and 1735, President of the Liverpool Infirmary and sponsor of the Bluecoat School. His son, Sir Ellis Cunliffe was M.P. for Liverpool from 1755 to 1767. Cunliffe Street, off Tithebarn in Liverpool acknowledges Foster Cunliffe to this day.