Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
He was created a peer in 1892 becoming 1st Baron Amherst of Hackney. He also served as the High Sheriff of Norfolk and was a Justice of the Peace.
Amherst is better remembered though as a bibliophile and an avid collector of books, antiques and Egyptian artifacts all of which he housed in a purpose-built museum at his country estate, Didlington Hall. It was there that young Howard Carter became fascinated with Egyptology. Pre-occupied with researching and enjoying his collection, Amherst left the day-to-day management of his estate to an agent who embezzled his employer of large sums of money to fund a gambling habit. This was only uncovered upon the agent's sudden death whereupon Amherst was obliged to place a large portion of his collection with an auction house. Six weeks after the first auction, Amherst died leaving his wife and seven daughters to oversee the dismantling of the remainder of his treasured collection.
Literature: Foskett, Miniatures Dictionary and Guide, p.506
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Portrait Miniature of Lord Amherst, Signed
