(American, 1741-1827)

Rare and Important Portrait Miniature of George Washington, 1779, the "Colonel Nathaniel Ramsay miniature", painted after Washington's full length portrait from his 1779 sitting with Peale, unsigned, watercolor on ivory, 1-7/8 x 1-1/2 in.; ornate carved stained wood frame, 5 x 4-3/4 in.

Provenance: Col. Nathaniel Ramsay, brother-in-law of the artist; his daughter, Mrs. Daniel McHenry; her niece, Mrs. W.F. Brand; Mrs. B.F. O'Connor (in 1933 in the home of her son, Mr. F.B. O'Connor); Mr. F. Barnard O'Connor, New York, NY (died May 26, 1953); his wife, Mrs. F. Barnard O'Connor, New York, NY; Private New England Collection

Note: Referenced in Sellers (above) is a note written by Titian Ramsey Peale in which he (mis)attributes the painting to James Peale. Sellers clarifies that Titian, who was not yet born at the time this miniature was painted, was confusedly thinking of a sitting from 1795. An aged pen and ink facsimile of that letter is preserved and visible at the back of the frame.

This lot contains animal or plant material that may be restricted under federal, state and/or local law. Prospective bidders should check all applicable government wildlife restrictions prior to placing a bid. The buyer is solely responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses or permits from federal, state and/or local authorities applicable to their purchase or transport of the object. Please note that bidders in New Jersey may not bid on any lots containing elephant ivory, mammoth ivory, or rhinoceros horn.

Literature: Literature: Sellers, Charles Coleman. 1968. Portraits and Miniatures by Charles Willson Peale. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, page 234, no. 927, ill. page 362.; Frick Art Reference Library Digital Collection: https://library.frick.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/d73c5u/alma991004324379707141

laid on card, ivory appears fully intact, fading (as noted in Sellers), some surface wear commensurate with age; frame old but not original, some abrasions and wear