Lot 22: Charles Robertson (Irish, circa 1760-1821) Mary Frances Townley Balfour (1770-1820), wearing white dress with frilled collar, sky blue bandeau in her powdered hair

Mary Frances Townley Balfour (1770-1820), wearing white dress with frilled collar, sky blue bandeau in her powdered hair.
Gold fausse-montre frame, the reverse with blue glass border surrounding gilt-mounted aperture, glazed to reveal plaited hair.
Oval, 57mm (2 1/4in) high

Mary was the youngest daughter of Blayney Townley Balfour (1743-1786) and his wife Letitia (née Leigh), whom he married in 1768. The family home was Townley Hall, County Louth in Ireland. Mary had a brother Blayney (b.1769) who grew up to become a JP, Deputy Lieutenant, MP and High Sheriff. Her sister, Anna Maria, (1770-1820) married the Very Reverend Dawson, Dean of Clonmacnois. Mary remained unmarried and died the same year as her sister. The Townley Balfours are descended from the Balfours of Burleigh in Scotland, one of whom married a Townley of Townley Hall, Lancashire.