Purchased from Leggatt Brothers 5 May 1976 for £4,500 as French School 18th century, with provenance going back to HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (with Duchess of York), followed by H A J Silley, Esq., followed by the private collection of Hugh Leggatt, Esq.

SCIENCE: Lined, all keys present, good tension. Slightly raised stretcher bar marks. Small distortion at bottom edge mid left from debris behind bottom stretcher. Brittle age craquelure throughout, passages slightly raised/sharp with some tiny unrestored flaked losses. Scattered fairly small/minor restored losses throughout, with a campaign of restoration to marks, scratches etc. Broad/large passages of brushy overpaint, slightly yellowed and mottled, notably to the whole bottom left corner, and right side and other smaller passages (see uv images). A few scattered unrestored losses. Some abrasion to delicate browns. Ingrained dirt and varnish, yellowed upper varnish. Scattered old marks and surface dirt.

ARTS: Lined, all keys present, a little slack. Slightly more pronounced stretcher bar marks including a noticable horizontal distortion at the centre. Brittle age craquelure throughout, with passages of sharp, lifting paint (see images in raking light), and some active flaking and tiny flaked losses. Particularly in the bottom right quadrant. Further minor unrestored losses, and scattered minor restored losses and overpaint to marks, scuffs etc. Again, broad passages of brushy mottled yellowish overpaint to either side, and down through the right of the female bust to the bottom of the painting. Some strengthening of details. Abrasion to browns. Ingrained dirt and varnish, yellowed upper varnish. Scattered old marks and surface dirt.

We are happy to provide Condition Reports to Prospective Buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale.

We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a condition report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition.

 A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the Seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage people to see an item in person when possible.

Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.

 Works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.

Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.