Portrait miniature of Anne Sawbridge (née Stephenson), Lady Mayoress of London, wearing white dress, the sleeves with blue ribbon trim, matching blue ribbon in her curled and powdered hair

RICHARD COSWAY, R.A (1742-1821)

Portrait miniature of Anne Sawbridge (née Stephenson), Lady Mayoress of London, wearing white dress, the sleeves with blue ribbon trim, matching blue ribbon in her curled and powdered hair

circa 1775
Watercolour on ivory (licence 3TXN4DCW)
Oval, 4.2 cm (1 ⁵/₈ inches) high
Gold-plated locket frame; later blue leather jewellers case

£2,500

+44(0)7983510056

"This portrait of Anne dates to circa 1775, when her husband John became Mayor of London..."

Anne Stephenson married Alderman John Sawbridge (1732-1795) in 1766. Anne was the daughter of Alderman Sir William Stephenson and the second wife for John Sawbridge, whom he married just a few months after the death of his first wife, Mary Bridgeman. The couple had three sons and one daughter. Sawbridge was described as a ‘patriotic alderman’ in a book on the history of Northumberland, being a representative of the City of London in three successive parliaments.¹ He was elected M.P. for Hythe in 1768 and for London in 1774, 1780, 1784 and 1790. He became Lord Mayor of London in 1775. Anne was featured in an etching by James Gillray called 'The royal joke, - or - black jacks delight', published 25 April 1788.

This portrait of Anne dates to circa 1775, when her husband John became mayor of London. Although we have no record of Anne’s personality, her husband was described as ‘a stern republican in principles, almost hideous in aspect, of a coarse figure and still coarser manners, but possessing an ample fortune and a strong understanding. He was the greatest proficient at whist to be found among the clubs in St. James's Street, and since the death of Beckford, and with the exception of Crosby and Wilkes, no lord mayor had attained greater popularity.’^2

1 J. Hodgson, J. Hodgson-Hinde, J. Raine, J. Collingwood Bruce, A History of Northumberland, in Three Parts: General history of the country, 1840, p.35
²As described by Sir Nathaniel William Wraxall (1751-1831)

Christie's, London, 28 November 1978, lot 81;
Bonhams, London, The Albion Collection of Fine Portrait Miniatures, 22 April 2004, lot 51;
Private Collection, UK

Holburne Museum, Bath, 1999;
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 2000-2003

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RICHARD COSWAY

(1742-1821)

Portrait miniature of Anne Sawbridge (née Stephenson), Lady Mayoress of London, wearing white dress, the sleeves with blue ribbon trim, matching blue ribbon in her curled and powdered hair