About the Item

Titan Fine Art present this exquisite portrait, that formed part of a historic collection of an English aristocratic family, Lord and Lady Sandys at their magnificent baroque and Regency Grade-I listed family home, Ombersley Court. The house was among the most fascinating survivals of its kind in this country. The atmospheric interiors were distinguished above all for the works of art associated with two key moments in national history and, more specifically, to the roles of Colonel the Hon. John Russell in the Civil War and the reign of King Charles II and of Lord Arthur Hill, later 2nd Baron Sandys, in the Peninsular War. The collection was acquired or commissioned over five centuries and remained at Ombersley Court until its recent sale, the first in 294 years. The full provenance of our painting, which hung in The Saloon (see photo), is known from its creation right through to now – an extraordinary fact considering its age. This exquisite Grand Manner work is an evocative example of the type of portrait in vogue during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Beautifully composed, the sitter has been depicted full length within surroundings that conveyed cultivation and an elite status – a classical porch with a colossal column. The beautiful colour combination of the azure silks of the dress, the mauve curtain and the sumptuous scarlet wrap imbue the portrait with a sense of luxury and emphasise the fact that this lady was a paragon of the wealthy and privileged society that she belonged to, with the means to commission a notable artist. Portrayed without the use of excessive props and jewellery, the artist knew that the sitter’s beauty was more than enough to captivate the audience. The clothing and hairstyle help to date the portrait to circa 1705. For any respectable woman at this time her skin is sheet white which was highly end vogue. A remarkable care is exercised in rendering of the flesh and the treatment of the drapery, with its delicate folds and virtuoso in the art of conveying the texture of the fabrics. The clear fresh palette, bright eyes, and rendering is exquisite. On the lower right of the portrait is an identifying inscription: 'Lady Tipping / Daughter of Coll. Cheek'. Anne Tipping, née Cheke, was the daughter of Colonel Thomas Cheke (1628-1688) and his wife Letitia, née Russell (1649-1722). Her father was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London under King Charles II in 1679 and he held that position until 1687 when James II removed him from office. At the age of 22 Lady Tipping married Sir Thomas Tipping, 1st Bt. (1653-1718) with whom she had three children, Catherine, Letitia, and Thomas. Through her father, Anne inherited the manor of Pyrgom in the village of Havering-atte-Bower, Essex. The house had previously belonged to Henry VIII, and it was here that he made the decision to restore the princesses Mary and Elizabeth to the succession to the throne. In 1724, Anne helped to found the Dame Tipping school in Havering-atte-Bower, which was endowed from her death in 1728 by a legacy in her will. Anne was lucky to have independent means, as her husband led a tumultuous life, dying in debt in Southwark prison. Anne died when she was just forty-eight years of age and is buried at Havering. Our sitter’s daughter, Letitia Tipping, married Samuel 1st Lord Sandys in 1725. In 1727, she inherited her family’s heirlooms including the possessions of her great uncle Admiral Russell, Earl of Orford. The 1st Earl of Orford (1653-1727) was one of the Immortal Seven who issued the invitation to William III to take the throne. Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy in the Nine Years War, he defeated the French fleet at Barfleur and La Hogue and is an important historic figure. Once owned by Evesham Abbey, the manor of Ombersley was acquired by the Sandys family in the early 1600s, when Sir Samuel Sandys, the eldest son of Edwin Sandys, Bishop of Worcester and later Archbishop of York, took a lease on the manor, before receiving an outright grant in 1614. The present house, Ombersley Court, dates from the time of Samuel, 1st Lord Sandys, between 1723 and 1730. The house itself is a fine example of an English Georgian country house set in rolling countryside and surrounded by Wellingtonias, planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo by Arthur Hill, 2nd Baron Sandys, who played a distinguished part in the battle and was one of the Duke of Wellington’s aides de camp. The Duke also stayed in the house and in the Great Hall, was the Waterloo banner which was brought to the house by Sir Arthur Hill, aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington, who succeeded his mother, the Marchioness of Downshire as 2nd Lord Sandys. Further Waterloo memorabilia are kettle drums from battle. The family had a strong tradition of military and political service, dating back to the 17th century, and this was also reflected in the fine collection of portraits and paintings in the house. In short, Ombersley represented a vital aspect of British history. The house and more especially the collection were of the greatest historical importance. Houses that have remained in the possession of the same family for as many as three centuries have become increasingly rare. Through this portrait, collectors have a chance to acquire a piece of British history and an evocative vestige of a glittering way of life, which is now gone. The work has been well preserved and cared for over its circa 325 years of age, only requiring the removal of a discoloured varnish recently – now the fine details and the true colours can be appreciated. The work can now be safely and fully enjoyed by future generations. Presented in a striking ebonised frame with applied carved and pierced gilded foliage, which is a work of art in itself. Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) dominates our understanding of British portraiture at the turn of the seventeenth century. With Van Dyck, Lely and Reynolds, his name has become synonymous with the visual interpretation of British history – not least because he painted almost every person of prominence in forty years of British public life. This reputation was well-deserved, and although Kneller's age embraced many accomplished painters - John Closterman, for example, Jonathan Richardson the Elder, or Michael Dahl- none came close to Kneller in immediate fame, or in such instant association in the popular mind with the exercise of portraiture. Kneller is remembered for having painted ten ruling sovereigns, including every reigning British monarch from King Charles II to King George I. Provenance By descent to the sitter's daughter, Letitia Tipping (1699-1779), wife of Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys (1695-1770), and by descent to their son, Edwin Sandys, 2nd Baron Sandys (1726-1797), and by inheritance to his niece, Mary, Marchioness of Downshire and 1st Baroness Sandys (1764-1836), and by descent to her second son, Lieutenant-General Arthur Hill, 2nd Baron Sandys (1792-1860), and by inheritance to his younger brother, Arthur Marcus Sandys, 3rd Baron Sandys (1798-1863), and thence by descent to, Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys (1931-2013), at Ombersley Court, Worcestershire Literature Ombersley Court Inventory, c. 1770-1775, Ombersley MS., where listed in the Salon Room; J. Grego, Inventory of Pictures: Portraits, Paintings, etc., Ombersley MS., 1905, as ‘Kneller?’, where listed in the Grand Saloon; ONM / 1 / 2 / 7, journal entry for a visit to Ombersley Court, 25 August 1950, Oliver Millar Archive, Paul Mellon Centre, London, pp. 26 and 27; Ombersley Court Inventory, June 1963, annotated Ombersley MS., as 'Thomas Hudson', where listed in the Saloon; Ombersley Court Catalogue of Pictures, undated, Ombersley MS., p. 22, as 'Hudson', where listed in the Saloon

Creation Year:
circa 1705
Dimensions:
Height: 94.49 in (240 cm)Width: 62.6 in (159 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
Medium:
Canvas,Oil
Movement & Style:
Old Masters
Circle Of:
Kneller Godfrey (1646 - 1723, English)
Period:
18th Century
Condition:
This painting has passed a strict quality and condition assessment by a professional conservator prior to going on sale. It can be hung and enjoyed immediately.
Gallery Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1199114080352

More From This Seller

View All

Peter LelyPortrait of a Lady, Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex c.1660-1665, Oil Painting, circa 1660-1665

Portrait of a Lady, Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex c.1660-1665, Oil Painting

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Lady, possibly Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex (1636–1718) c.1660-1665 Studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) This portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, is a particu...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Pierre MignardPortrait of Philadelphia Parker later Mrs Stephen Piper c.1690-1695 oil on panel, circa 1699-1695

Portrait of Philadelphia Parker later Mrs Stephen Piper c.1690-1695 oil on panel

By Pierre Mignard

Located in London, GB

This exquisite late seventeenth-century portrait is a beautifully preserved example of the small-scale courtly cabinet likeness: intimate in format, jewel-like in finish, and unusual...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Jeremiah DavisonEnglish Portrait of a Young Lady in White Dress c. 1730–1740, Fine Period Frame, c. 1730–1740

English Portrait of a Young Lady in White Dress c. 1730–1740, Fine Period Frame

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Young Lady, probably British c.1730–1740 Attributed to Jeremiah Davison (c. 1695–1745) What makes this portrait immediately compelling is its directness: the sitter’s ...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Henry PickeringPortrait of a Lady in a White Silk Dress with Blue Ribbon Bows c.1745–1755, circa 1745-1755

Portrait of a Lady in a White Silk Dress with Blue Ribbon Bows c.1745–1755

By Henry Pickering

Located in London, GB

In this captivating mid 18th century portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, a young English lady is presented in a luminous white satin gown trimmed with intricate lace and blue ribb...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

17th Century French SchoolPortrait of Lady, Maria Therese of Spain, Queen of France, 17th Century Panel, 17th Century

Portrait of Lady, Maria Therese of Spain, Queen of France, 17th Century Panel

Located in London, GB

Portrait of Maria Therese of Spain, Queen of France, 17th Century Circle of Henri and Charles Beaubrun Not signed This distinguished seventeenth-century portrait of Maria Theresa o...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Sir Peter LelyPortrait of a Lady, in Black Dress with Red Satin Sleeves and Pearls c.1660-1680, c.1660–1680

Portrait of a Lady, in Black Dress with Red Satin Sleeves and Pearls c.1660-1680

By Sir Peter Lely

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Lady, in a Black Dress with Red Satin Sleeves and Pearls English School c.1660–1680 Circle of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) This striking portrait is a compelling exampl...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

More Ways To Browse

Waterloo Battle

King George Ii

Aristocratic Portrait Paintings

Jonathan Richardson

Arthur Hill

1860 Oil Painting Of Woman In Black Dress

Kettle Drum

Porch Column

African American Portrait Painting

Coronation Painting

Danse Macabre

Military Portrait Paintings

Native American Portraits

Painting Of African Woman

Woman Portrait Black Dress

1944 Portraits

Middle Temple

Miniature Portrait Of A Boy

View All Popular More Art Searches

Portrait of Lady Anne Tipping née Cheke c.1705, English Aristocratic Collection
circa 1705

About the Item

You May Also Like

More From This Seller

Peter LelyPortrait of a Lady, Elizabeth Percy, Countess of Essex c.1660-1665, Oil Painting, circa 1660-1665

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Pierre MignardPortrait of Philadelphia Parker later Mrs Stephen Piper c.1690-1695 oil on panel, circa 1699-1695

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Jeremiah DavisonEnglish Portrait of a Young Lady in White Dress c. 1730–1740, Fine Period Frame, c. 1730–1740

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Henry PickeringPortrait of a Lady in a White Silk Dress with Blue Ribbon Bows c.1745–1755, circa 1745-1755

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

17th Century French SchoolPortrait of Lady, Maria Therese of Spain, Queen of France, 17th Century Panel, 17th Century

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Sir Peter LelyPortrait of a Lady, in Black Dress with Red Satin Sleeves and Pearls c.1660-1680, c.1660–1680

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

More Ways To Browse

Portrait of Lady Anne Tipping née Cheke c.1705, English Aristocratic Collectioncirca 1705

About the Item

You May Also Like

More From This Seller

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

More Ways To Browse

Portrait of Lady Anne Tipping née Cheke c.1705, English Aristocratic Collection
circa 1705