Lot 7: Charles Philips (1708-1748)

Group portrait of a family, possibly members of the Vernon family, with a servant, in an elegant interior
signed and dated 'CP[linked]hilips. pinxit 1733.' (lower left)
oil on canvas
36 1/2 x 53 1/2 in. (92.7 x 135.9 cm.)

Presumably by descent to Arethusa Vernon, who married Sir Robert Harland, Bt., of Wherstead Park, Ipswich, to his niece
Sarah Marianne Rowley, who married Sir George Dashwood, 4th Bt. (1786-1861), and by descent to
Charles E. Dashwood, Wherstead Park, Ipswich ('The Dashwood Heirlooms'); Christie's, London, 26 June 1914, lot 104 (100 gns. to Sir Hugh Lane).
Sir Hugh Lane (+), Lindsey House, Cheyne Walk, London S.W.; Christie's, London, 6 July 1917, lot 114 (sold 130 gns. [to Conody?]).

On both occasions the picture was sold at Christie's - in 1914 and 1917 - it was described as 'The Family of Admiral Vernon: The interior of an apartment, with the Admiral and his family about to take tea', while a plaque attached to the frame gives it the title 'Tea Party in Virginia'.

The picture's Dashwood provenance makes it quite possible that the sitters are members of the Vernon family. However, Admiral Vernon (1684-1757), the celebrated Commander of the British fleet at the taking of Portobello in 1739, married Sarah Best circa 1729, and they only had one son who survived infancy. Admiral Vernon's elder brother James (1677-1756), who by 1733 had bought the estate of Great Thurlow, Suffolk, married and had children, although his wife Arethusa died in 1728, and his four known children, born between 1712 and 1719, do not obviously correspond with the ages of sitters in the picture. James Vernon channelled much of his energy into religious projects, most notably as a sponsor of the foundation of Georgia. It was perhaps this, combined with the inclusion of a black servant, which gave rise to the idea that the picture is set in Virginia. There is, however, no record of Philips visiting America.

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium