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EDWARD NORGATE | Portrait of John Harrison, Junior (1598-1665), circa 1622; his wife Mary Harrison, née Buckenham (circa 1610-after 1682), circa 1630; and the coat of arms of the Harrison Family, 1622
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Portrait of John Harrison, Junior (1598-1665), circa 1622; his wife Mary Harrison, née Buckenham (circa 1610-after 1682), circa 1630; and the coat of arms of the Harrison Family, 1622
- Each watercolour and bodycolour, heightened with gold and silver on parchment, laid on playing cards, respectively; a Club, a Jack and a blank, parcel-gilt wood frames, the armorial dated 1622
- 55 by 46 mm.; 57 by 47 mm.; 61 by 49 mm.
Provenance
By descent in the sitter's family to Andrew Lawson, by 1833,
by descent to Miss Mary Lawson-Tancred,
her sale, London, Sotheby's, 5 July 1984, lots 88 & 89
by descent to Miss Mary Lawson-Tancred,
her sale, London, Sotheby's, 5 July 1984, lots 88 & 89
Literature
Auerbach, 1961, p. 281, no. 246;
Foskett, 1972, vol. 1, pp. 196, 424, no. 20, vol. II, pp. 22, 247 & 617;
Foskett, 1987, p. 78, pl. 13 B & E;
Muller & Murrell, 1997, pp. 32-34, illust. no. 47, no. 3, 4 & 5
Foskett, 1972, vol. 1, pp. 196, 424, no. 20, vol. II, pp. 22, 247 & 617;
Foskett, 1987, p. 78, pl. 13 B & E;
Muller & Murrell, 1997, pp. 32-34, illust. no. 47, no. 3, 4 & 5
Condition
John Harrison, Junior: Silver paint on buttons has oxidised, a few flecks of the lace collar have flaked off. Mary Harrison, née Buckenham: Silver paint oxidised, similar loss of paint on lace. Armorial: Good, save oxidation of silver
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
These miniatures are rare examples of the work of Edward Norgate, one of a small number of gentleman amateurs, others including Sir Balthasar Gerbier and Sir James Palmer, whose practise of the art form secured its prestige in the hierarchy of the arts in early seventeenth-century England. Norgate, the son of Dr Robert Norgate, a Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, fulfilled many roles, including tuner of the king’s virginals and organs, writer and illuminator of Royal letters (1611), Clerk of the Signet (1628) and Windsor Herald (1633). As a connoisseur, he was involved with the art collection of Queen Henrietta Maria. Given all these responsibilities it is not surprising that in his treatise on limning, Miniatura, he explained that it was ‘for my recreation practised, as my better employment gave me leave’. The present miniatures combine his private interest in miniature painting - the portraits of John Harrison and his wife - and his professional skill as a heraldic illuminator - the Harrison arms. Both Norgate and Harrison were associated with Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel, and they probably came into contact with each other in the orbit of this prominent courtier and collector. The Harrisons were descended from a Derbyshire family of some social standing. Two of them came to London in the early sixteenth century and their descendants became goldsmiths, allying themselves in marriage with important merchant families and forming links with the court.