Two Tassie profile portraits in plaster, signed and dated 1791

each, head and shoulders, of Sir William Forbes, 6th Bt., to sinister, his hair en queue wearing a high collared coat, impressed: SIR WILL. FORBES / OF FITZSLIGO BARONET / 1791 and: Tassie F., in contemporary glazed turned pearwood frames

Generally good with some residual dirt.
"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."

James Tassie (1735-1799) moved from Scotland to London in 1766. He produced extremely popular glass paste copies of intaglios, sold to clients as diverse as Catherine the Great and  Keats's Fanny Brawne. He also modelled portrait medallions of famous people, many in conjunction with Josiah Wedgwood, as well as a series of Scottish worthies. James Tassie issued his medallion of Sir William in 1791. A contemporary described the process: 'He takes three sittings. The two first about an hour each, the third not half an hour. If preferred he can take two sittings in one day, if he have some hours betwixt to work at it by himself. It is the same to him whether he goes out to you, or you to him, only the hours from 12 to 4 he is occupied in attending to his shop'. (John M. Gray, James and William Tassie, London, 1894, p. 40, the medallion of Sir William, no. 128, p. 103).