Nicholas Hilliard

This lot contains ivory. Due to recent changes in the laws of many countries (e.g. US, France) Sotheby’s recommends that buyers check with their own government regarding any importation requirements prior to placing a bid. For example, US regulations restrict the import of elephant ivory and prohibit the import of African elephant ivory. Please note that Sotheby’s will not assist buyers with CITES licence applications where a buyer elects to either collect or arrange their own shipping, nor will Sotheby’s assist with the international movement of ivory by air, either as freight or through hand carry. Sotheby’s shipping will only assist in shipping the lot to either domestic UK or EU destinations, where delivery is made by road transport. A buyer’s inability to export or import these lots cannot justify a delay in payment or sale cancellation.

Thomas George Burn (1897-1963), of Rous Lench Court, Worcester;
his executor's sale, London, Sotheby's, 7 July 1986, lot 815

The golden hind on the bodice could be an indication that the sitter is connected with Sir Christopher Hatton (1540–1591), whose crest was a golden hind. Sir Christopher, a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, was Lord Chancellor of England from 1587 until his death. Unmarried, he appears to have had an illegitimate daughter. His estates passed to his nephew Sir William Newport (1560–1597), who took the name Hatton. After the death of Sir William without male heir the estate passed to a kinsman, another Sir Christopher Hatton (d.1619). If the sitter is not a female member of the Hatton family an alternative possibility is that she is connected with the Drake family. Sir Christopher had invested in some of the voyages of Francis Drake, who, in the course of his circumnavigation of the world, renamed his ship the Golden Hind in honour of his patron.