Nathaniel Hone, Unknown Man, 1760

See the artist’s biography in volume 4.

Charles William Dyson Perrins (1864–1958), Malvern, Worcestshire, England, by 1957;

Purchased at his posthumous sale, Important English Portrait Miniatures, Sotheby’s, London, December 11, 1958, lot 72, as A Man, by Leggatt Brothers, London, probably on behalf of Mr. John W. (1905–2000) and Mrs. Martha Jane (1906–2011) Starr, Kansas City, MO, 1958–1982 [1];

Sold at their sale, Silhouettes and Fine Portrait Miniatures, Sotheby’s, London, March 15, 1982, lot 65, as A Middle-Aged Gentleman [2];

Current location unknown.

Notes

[1] “A fine enamel miniature of a man by Nathaniel Hone, signed and dated 1760, head and shoulders three-quarters sinister, gaze directed at spectator, wearing a powdered wig, gold-embroidered cream vest and blue coat, plaited hair on reverse, 1 1/4 in., rose diamond frame quartered with emeralds [see illustration facing page 20].” According to the annotated sales catalogue, Leggatt bought lot 72 for £125. Archival research has shown that Leggatt Brothers served as purchasing agents for the Starrs. See correspondence between Betty Hogg and Martha Jane Starr, May 15 and June 3, 1950, Nelson-Atkins curatorial files

[2] “A middle-aged gentleman, wearing a powdered bag wig and blue jacket with gilt buttons over a white waistcoat trimmed with gold lace and a white jabot, enamel, within an emerald and diamond bordered frame, the reverse with plaited hair, oval 1 5/16 in.; 3.3 cm.” The annotated catalogue has a circled lot number and lists “620” below the lot description.

British Portrait Miniatures: An Exhibition Arranged for the Period of the Edinburgh International Festival, The Arts Council of Great Britain, Edinburgh, August 20–September 18, 1965, no. 390, as Unknown Man.

Important English Portrait Miniatures (London: Sotheby’s, December 11, 1958), 21, as A Man.

Silhouettes and Fine Portrait Miniatures (London: Sotheby’s, March 15, 1982), 18, as A Middle-aged Gentleman.