Lot 70 , Andrew Plimer (1763-1837), Portrait miniature of Lady Harriet Silvester, watercolour on ivory, 7.3 x 6cm. CITES Submission reference YATL7XKD

Y Andrew Plimer (1763-1837)
Portrait miniature of Lady Harriet Silvester
watercolour on ivory
a white sash in her hair, wearing a low cut white dress, clouds beyond
7.3 x 6cm. CITES Submission reference YATL7XKD
£600-800
Wife of Sir John Silvester, 1st Baronet (1745-1822), FRS, FSA, DCL, an English lawyer and Common Serjeant of London from 1790 to 1803, and Recorder of London from 1803 until his death in 1822.
She is most noted for her comments upon meeting in 1824 with the fossil finder Mary Anning - “The extraordinary thing in this young woman is that she had made herself so thoroughly acquainted with the science that the moment she finds any bones she knows to what tribe they belong… By reading and application she has arrived at that greater degree of knowledge to be in the habit of writing and talking with professors and other clever men on the subject, and they all acknowledge that she understands more of the science than anyone else in this kingdom.” - Lady Harriet Silvester’s diary, 1824.

CITES is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.

Condition:
A few loose dirt specks but essentially good condition. Ebonised frame with title of the sitter inscribed verso and later addition '(Harriet) 1793'.

Sold for £1,400