Jeremiah Meyer R.A.

wearing a King's Scholar robe and mortar board, gold frame set with half pearls

J. Lumsden Propert;
Lord Aldenham, by 1903;
Property of a nobleman, his sale, Christie's London, 2 May 1961, lot 214

Manchester, City of Manchester Art Gallery

Williamson 1903, illustrated facing p. 38 (as by Andrew Plimer)

Ivory ground. This miniature is overall in good condition. There is a rub mark in the sky just to the right of the sitter's hair. Further, there are one or two minor patches of dry spidery mould, located on the gown and lower background. The glass on the frame has a tiny chip to the margin at the upper right.
"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."

There has been considerable speculation about the identity of the sitter of this miniature. Williamson, rather unaccountably attributing the work to Andrew Plimer, suggested it represented Jeremiah's daughter, Mary, a girl 'full to the brim of mischief' (Williamson 1903, p. 39). This identification may possibly have been based on Meyer family tradition. When it was sold in 1961, however, it was catalogued as Master George Charles Meyer. This is certainly plausible, as the artist's son George (1767-1793) was a King's scholar between 1781 and 1783.  

We would like to thank Edward Smith of Westminster School for his help in cataloguing this lot.