Lot 107: Nathaniel Plimer (British, 1751-1822) Sir Edward Astley (1729–1802), wearing brown double breasted coat with black collar, white waistcoat, stock and tie, pink solitaire, powdered hair

Sir Edward Astley (1729–1802), wearing brown double breasted coat with black collar, white waistcoat, stock and tie, pink solitaire, powdered hair.
Gold frame, the reverse with blue glass border surrounding gold-mounted aperture glazed to reveal plaited hair.
Oval, 76mm (3in) high

Sir Edward Astley, 4th Baronet was a British politician. He was the oldest son of Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Baronet and his second wife Lucy le Strange, youngest daughter of Sir Nicholas le Strange, 4th Baronet. In 1760, Astley succeeded his father as baronet and in 1768, he stood successfully as Member of Parliament for Norfolk, the same constituency his great-grandfather Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Baronet had represented. Astley held this seat until the 1790 general election when he retired.

Astley first two wives, Rhoda Delaval and Anne Milles died in 1757 and 1792. Astley had three sons and a daughter by Rhoda and five sons and two daughters by Anne. His married his third and last wife, Elizabeth Bullen in 1793. Astley was succeeded in the baronetcy by his oldest son Jacob Henry, who at this time also sat for Norfolk in the House of Commons.