French School

he with short hair and pointed beard, wearing a slashed black doublet and a white ruff; she with upswept brown hair, partly covered by a square black veil, wearing a banded pink and white dress elaborately trimmed with lace, both blue backgrounds, he with a gold boarder

By family descent until sold, Phillips London, 3 July 2001, lot 35

These miniatures have been well preserved and are in very fine condition - the colours remain fresh. She may have been reduced slightly at the edges to fit her present mount.
"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."

Thomas Papillon (1578-c.1637) was the eldest son of Thomas Papillon (d.1608) and his wife Jeane Vieue de la Pierre (d.1588). His father was Captain of the Guard and Valet de Chambre to King Henri IV of France and Navarre. The sitter became a celebrated lawyer and Avocat au Parlement de Paris. He published treatises on Roman law, including De Jure accrescendi Libellus (1613), De Directis Haeredum Substitutionibus (1616) and Commentarii (1624). In 1620, the year these portrait miniatures were painted, he was appointed scribe of the Synod of Arles. A devout follower of the Reformed Faith, he was an elder of the Church at Charenton. Members of the Papillon family moved to England in 1588 as part of the Huguenot migration, and it is through these family members that the present lot and the snuff box also offered in this sale descended.

For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407)

mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com
emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com