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Admiral Lord Viscount Duncan by James Tassie 1797

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
This large vitreous enamel cameo shows a head and shoulders portrait of Admiral Lord Duncan in uniform by James Tassie, inscribed on the truncation Admiral Lord Visc. Duncan 1797 and signed Tassie F (worn). It is mounted on a blue coloured glass oval and framed. English, 1797.

James Tassie (1735-99) trained as a classical sculptor and modeller in Glasgow. Moving to London in 1766, he specialised in making glass casts of antique cameos and intaglios. Using an innovative vitreous enamel, he also made celebrated and highly popular cameo portraits of, in his words, ‘the first people in the Kingdom’. These culminated in this depiction of Admiral Viscount Duncan (1731-1804), victor of the Battle of Camperdown (see page 14) who probably sat to Tassie at the artist’s Leicester Fields studio. His cameo of Duncan was one of the last works completed by James Tassie whose business, at his death, was continued by his nephew William Tassie (1777-1860). He copied his uncle’s medallion of Duncan to exhibit at the Royal Academy in 1799. William Tassie referred to this copy after the Battle of Trafalgar when discussing making large and small cameos of Admiral Viscount Nelson (see page 67).

More Information

Origin:	England
Period:	18th Century
Materials:	Portrait
Condition:	Good. Original condition.
Creation Date:	1797
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	318375

Dimensions

W.	5.5 in;	H.	7 in;
W.	13.97 cm;	H.	17.78 cm;

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques, established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s, specializes in fine antiques with a reputation built on extensive knowledge and long-standing relationships, including with Harrods. Contact Charles at 44.159.067.7558 or via email at charles@wickantiques.co.uk for exceptional pieces curated by a team with expertise in Islamic, Japanese, and fine works of art.

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