Lot 5: Nicholas Hilliard (British, 1547-1619) A Lady, wearing black dress with heavy gold embroidery to the sleeves, white lace slip, fine double stranded gold collar set with rubies and pearls, a pearl and gem set necklace with a gold jewelled pendant

A Lady, wearing black dress with heavy gold embroidery to the sleeves, white lace slip, fine double stranded gold collar set with rubies and pearls, a pearl and gem set necklace with a gold jewelled pendant supporting a tear drop pearl, elaborate cartwheel ruff of fine white lace, her upswept curled hair set with gold jewels displaying further rubies and pearls, blue background and gold border.
Watercolour on vellum, set in the interior of a contemporary circular turned ivory box with lid intact.
Oval, 52mm (2 1/16in) high

For a portrait by Hilliard set in a similar turned ivory box with lid intact, see a portrait of a Gentleman in profile, traditionally identified as William Barbor in the Collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum (Museum no. 887-1894).