Lot 1: David des Granges (London circa 1611-1671) A Gentleman, wearing cream doublet slashed at the sleeve to reveal white lace chemise, lawn collar with lace trim, red sash embroidered with blue and gold thread, his brown hair worn loose

A Gentleman, wearing cream doublet slashed at the sleeve to reveal white lace chemise, lawn collar with lace trim, red sash embroidered with blue and gold thread, his brown hair worn loose.
Watercolour on vellum, contemporary gold and enamel locket frame, Manner of Jean Toutin the younger (French, 1619-1660), the sides enamelled with flora and fauna, the lid enamelled with a peasant man seated in a riverscape, resting against a tree and playing bagpipes, the inside of the lid enamelled with flora and fauna, the later applied gilt reverse engraved King Charles II/ to/ George Ashby/ of/ Quenby & Naseby/ and then to/ his Great Grandchild/ Ann Norton/ who married Thomas Pares/ from whom to her/ Great Great Grandchild/ Guy Paget of Sulby.
Oval, 36mm (1 7/16in) high

The plaque to the reverse of the locket must have been applied post 1912, when Guy Paget purchased Sulby Hall.

George Ashby (1656–1728) was the son of George Ashby of Quenby and Mary Shuckburgh of Naseby. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining his MA in 1675. He married in November 1681 Hannah Waring. Ashby was a Whig politician, sitting at various periods from 1695 to 1708. His funerary monument describes him as 'honest George Ashby the Planter' on account of his arboreal interests at Quenby, where he successfully cultivated a rare genus of cedar tree from the Lebanon.

Ashby was appointed High Sheriff of Leicester by Charles II's brother James, in around 1688-9. The High Sheriff was traditionally the King's man and representative for the county. He customarily received a personal gift in addition to the title, for services rendered to the King.