ANDREW PLIMER (1763-1837)

Portrait miniature of a Lady, wearing a rust-coloured turban and matching shawl, a pearl choker and a white dress

circa 1800
Watercolour on ivory (licence LEAJ757T)
Oval, 67 mm (2 ⁵/₈ in) high
Set into the lid of a gold-mounted tortoiseshell snuff box, probably Swiss, 19th century, the mounts struck with two indistinct control marks; 22 mm high, 77 mm diameter.

£1,350

This portrait miniature of a hazel-eyed young lady shows the influence of geopolitics on fashion at the turn of the 18th-century. What’s more, the garments worn arguably lay bare the empirical ambitions of one man, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

Just visible at the bottom of the picture is the lady’s white dress, which would have had a high waist, just under the bust. This distinctive shape, which was later (in the 20th century) dubbed the ‘Empire line/silhouette/waist’, were de rigeur by the time Napoleon declared the first French empire in 1804. These diaphanous white gowns were inspired by antique Greco-Roman styles, recently unearthed in Italy, now under Napoleon’s control. The look was popularised by Napoleon’s wife at the time, Empress Joséphine (previously de Beauharnais; 1763-1814), Queen of Italy (1805-1810).

The sitter also wears a turban-style headdress, a fashion owed to Napoleon’s occupation of Ottoman-held Egypt and Syria (1798-1801). Such headwear became particularly popular for evening wear, and it may be that this lady, with her matching shawl and pearl choker necklace, is in evening dress.

By the time this miniature was painted, the artist Andrew Plimer was a successful professional artist working in London’s fashionable Soho. From a studio as 8 Golden Square[1], Plimer must have been one of the busiest miniaturists in London as his surviving oeuvre is vast.

The artist would also marry in 1801, and his wedding was attended by two highly esteemed miniaturists of the elder generation: Jeremiah Meyer R. A. (1735-1789) and Plimer’s mentor Richard Cosway R. A. (1742-1821).


[1] Plimer lived at 3 Golden Square 1786 before moving to 8 Golden Square in 1796.
 
Private collection, UK.

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The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.

Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer .

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Portrait miniature of a Lady, wearing a rust-coloured turban and matching shawl, a pearl choker and a white dress

ANDREW PLIMER

(1763-1837)

Portrait miniature of a Lady, wearing a rust-coloured turban and matching shawl, a pearl choker and a white dress

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shipping notice

The item added to cart contains materials from endangered or protected species. The Limner Company cannot arrange for the delivery of artworks containing ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl outside of the UK due to import restrictions. The buyer or designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale.

You are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of any items made from or containing certain endangered or protected species (such as ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother of pearl), while other countries will require a permit (e.g. a CITES licence). Such permits must be obtained from the relevant regulatory body in both the country of importation and exportation. If you intend to import such items into another country you should familiarise yourself with the relevant customs regulations and laws before purchase. Delays or refusal of import or export of such works shall not permit cancellation of a sale. It is your responsibility to satisfy any laws or regulations applying to the import or export of any work containing such protected species. For further information on the protected species listed please visit the CITES website:http://www.cites.org/. For further information about import and export regulations please visit:http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/. On request, the Company can assist with or apply for a license on your behalf.

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shipping TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Worldwide shipping is included in all prices.

The Limner Company does not accept any responsibility for import duty, this is to be paid by the buyer.

See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations. Please contact us to discuss shipping options. Some stock items contain materials from endangered species which are governed by CITES regulations and will require a permit to export outside of Great Britain. If a certificate of export is required then this will be the responsibility of and paid for by the buyer.

See Section 7.5 in Terms & Conditions for information on export/import regulations.

Please contact us to discuss shipping options.

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