Lot 498: James Holmes (1777-1860). Miniature portrait of

James Holmes (1777-1860). Miniature portrait of Augusta Leigh, head and shoulders with dark hair dressed high, the reverse inscribed 'Painted by J. Holmes 1833', oval 5 x 4cm., in leather and velvet case. * See Ralph, Earl of Lovelace 'Astarte', illustration facing page 234 ** Augusta Leigh (1784-1851) was the only daughter of Byron's father by his first wife Baroness Conyers and thus his half-sister. He apparently entered into a more than brotherly relationship with AugustA Ralph Earl of Lovelace records in 'Astarte' that 'she was of a sanguine and buoyant disposition, childishly fond and playful, ready to laugh at anything, loving to talk nonsense. The great charm of her society was a refined species of comic talent'