Enamelled portraits of Henry VII and Elisabeth of England
Émail en plein auf Kupfer. Finely rendered pendants in “email en plein” on copper. Depicting the king and queen in facing profiles in church interiors as bride and groom in elegant Renaissance costume holding roses in their hands. With green flecked counter enamel. 8.5x 7 cm.
In original fire-gilt frames.
Attributed to Henry Bone (Truro 1755 - 1834 Summertown)
Henry VII Tudor (Pembrook Castle/Wales 1457 - Richmond Palace 1509) was the founder of the English Tudor dynasty. His marriage to Elisabeth of York (Westminster Palace 1466 - 1503 Tower of London), the daughter of King Edward IV, ended the long War of the Roses, in which the rival families of York (white rose coat of arms) and Lancaster (red rose coat of arms) fought for the right to the English throne. The Tudor roses which the couple hold in their hands symbolise this union.
Henry Bone was among the best English miniaturists of his time. He was court painter to George III, George IV, and William IV. He created countless miniatures in enamels after motifs by famous painters, including of portraits of the Elizabethan era. He had several children who also worked as enamelists, the most well-known of which was Henry Pierce, whose style is so close to that of his father that their works are often confused.