Lot 48: ATTRIBUTED TO GILES HUSSEY

ATTRIBUTED TO GILES HUSSEY 1710 - 1788 PORTRAIT OF GEORGIANA, COUNTESS SPENCER (1737–1814); AND PORTRAIT OF GEORGIANA, LADY TOWNSEND (D. 1851) stamped with the Spencer family's collectors mark (L. 2341) pencil, the first on laid paper, together with a Portrait of Georgiana, Lady Townsend (d. 1851) by another hand 13.5 by 11 cm.; ;5 ½ by 4½ in.; 13.5 by 11.1 cm.; 5 1/2 by 4 1/2 in.

The Hon. Ashley Ponsonby (1831-1898);
by family descent to his son Claude Ponsonby by whom sold in June 1908 (bt. L.C.);
W.A Walker by 1935;
Edward John, 8υth Earl Spencer (1924-1992);
by whom given to his wife Raine, Countess Spencer;
by whom sold, Bloomsbury Auctions London, 13 April 2006, lot 137

Margaret Georgiana, Countess Spencer was the fourth surviving child of Stephen Poyntz (bap. 1685-1750) and Anna Maria Mordaunt (d.1771). Her mother was Maid of Honour to Queen Caroline and her godfather was King George II. In December 1755 she married John Spencer (1734-1783), later 1υst Earl Spencer. Their three surviving children were all prominent members of Georgian society. Their son, the 2υnd Earl (1758-1834), served as First Lord of the Admiralty (see his portrait by John Downman earlier in this sale). Their eldest daughter, Georgiana (1757-1806), married the 5υth Duke of Devonshire, whilst their youngest, Harriet (1761-1821), married the 1υst Earl of Bessborough.

Georgiana Anne, Lady Townshend was the daughter of William Poyntz of Midgham, Berkshire and therefore Lady Spencer's niece. In April 1787 she married Lord John Townshend (1757-1833) of Ball's Park Herefordshire, second son of George Townsend, 1υst Marquess Townshend of Raynham (1723/4–1770). The present portrait dates from circa 1790.