Lot 1179: John Faber II (1695-1756), after Sir Godfrey Kneller

John Faber II (1695-1756), after Sir Godfrey Kneller
Portraits of The Kit Kat Club
mezzotints on laid paper, good impressions with margins, published 1731-1735, with an engraved dedication plate to the Duke of Somerset, contained within three portfolio boxes with gilt tooled red morrocco spines
unframed
S. 18 x 12in. (45.7 x 30.5cm.) (47)

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
This early series of mezzotint portraits of the leading Whigs who formed the club were painted by Kneller to hang in the room built for the reception of its members at Jacob Tonson's house at Barn Elms. The proportions of the room necessitated the use of a smaller than usual 36 x 28 inch canvas, known since as a kit kat.