Lot 734: GUSTAVUS HAMILTON (c. 1739-1775)

Mr and Mrs John Kirwan; he, facing right in gold-bordered blue coat and waistcoat, frilled lace cravat, powdered bag wig; and she, facing left in purple dress with lace-bordered fichu, fur stole, pearl necklace, gauze veil falling from her dark upswept hair signed and dated 'Ham: n 1770' (lower right), and 'Ham n' (lower left) and '1770' (lower right) ovals, 11/4 in. (32 mm.) high, gold bracelet clasp frames with cushion shaped old brilliant cut diamond surround in silver setting PROVENANCE With D. S. Lavender, London, 1997, acquired by Dr Anton C. R. Dreesmann (inventory no. F-220). NOTES A similar miniature by Hamilton, of 1767, is illustrated in P. Caffrey, John Comerford and the Portrait Miniature in Ireland c. 1620-1850 [exhibition catalogue Rothe House, Kilkenny, and Hunt Museum, Limerick], Dublin, 1999, p. 23, no. 23.