Lot 108: English School, circa 1785 Sir Henry Charles Englefield, 7th Bt (1752-1822), wearing burgundy coat, white cravat and frilled chemise, his hair powdered, against a landscape background

Sir Henry Charles Englefield, 7th Bt (1752-1822), wearing burgundy coat, white cravat and frilled chemise, his hair powdered, against a landscape background.
Gold frame, the reverse glazed to reveal erroneous pencil inscription Rt. Hon./ William Robert/ Spencer/ son of Lord/ Charles Spencer/ Born 1770 Died 1872.
Oval, 90mm (3 9/16in) high
Provenance: George F. Fenton Smith of Putney Hill, London
Christie's, 10 December, 2002, lot 241 (as School of Nixon and with incorrect sitter identification)

The present lot is after a portrait of Englefield by Reynolds. Painted around 1787, the original oil is rectangular and reveals more of the wooded background behind the sitter. Its current whereabouts are unknown, but it is known to have been in the D. Trapper Lomax Collection in the late 1960s. Englefield was painted by many artists, including Lawrence, Scott and Edridge. In 1923, a tiny medalet of Englefield was presented to the National Portrait Gallery by Miss J.B. Horner. Another version in miniature was sold as part of the Albion Collection of Fine Portrait Miniatures, Bonhams, 22 April 2004, lot 137.

Sir Henry Charles Englefield was an antiquary and scientific writer. He had a variety of interests, which ranged from Roman antiquities to the geology of the Isle of Wight. He was President of the Society of Antiquaries between 1811 and 1812, Secretary of the Dilettanti Society and Fellow of the Royal Society. Upon his death, the baronetcy became extinct.