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ID #SA1239789
FOR SALE
£390
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A Fine Portrait Miniature by Scottish Miniaturist James Ferguson - 18th Century
For sale by Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
for sale €456     $495
£390
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2012
Browse dealers 58 items
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Id #SA1239789
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A Fine Portrait Miniature by Scottish Miniaturist James Ferguson - 18th Century

18th century
Description

A fine quality portrait miniature of a gentleman in a long grey wig and he wears a waistcoat and coat with floral motifs. The miniature has been executed in pencil on card.

James Ferguson was born near Keith, Banffshire 25 April. He was a portrait miniaturist mostly in Indian ink. His parents were poor and, and apart from learning to read, he seems to have had no formal education. He began life as a farm labourer before discovering he had an aptitude for mathematics. Studying the sky at night he became known locally as 'Ferguson the astronomer'. friends and patrons, notably Sir James Dunbar of Drum, enabled him to study in Edinburgh. In the early 1740s he moved to London and in 1746 advertised that he had moved from Compton Street to 'The White Perriwig in Great Pultney Street, London, drawing 'pictures as usual for 9 shillings, or going abroad to do them for one half guinea.' His work was usually small, and finely drawn.

Foskett records that 'the sitters' upper eyelids and eyebrows are usually strongly delineated'. His work was seldom if ever signed . A fine pen and ink portrait 'Prince Charles Edward Stuart', 2" in diameter, was sold in London 1972. Represented in the V&A, London and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The miniature measures 5.5cm plus frame.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Declaration

Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors has dated this Georgian Portrait Miniature Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239789
Dealers Internal Reference
CDAX
Dealers Notes

There is a charge for postage and delivery, please contact me for the details. Thank you.

Description
A fine quality portrait miniature of a gentleman in a long grey wig and he wears a waistcoat and coat with floral motifs. The miniature has been executed in pencil on card.

James Ferguson was born near Keith, Banffshire 25 April. He was a portrait miniaturist mostly in Indian ink.

“
His parents were poor and, and apart from learning to read, he seems to have had no formal education.
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

He began life as a farm labourer before discovering he had an aptitude for mathematics. Studying the sky at night he became known locally as 'Ferguson the astronomer'. friends and patrons, notably Sir James Dunbar of Drum, enabled him to study in Edinburgh. In the early 1740s he moved to London and in 1746 advertised that he had moved from Compton Street to 'The White Perriwig in Great Pultney Street, London, drawing 'pictures as usual for 9 shillings, or going abroad to do them for one half guinea.' His work was usually small, and finely drawn.

fig 1. An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger.
fig 1. A Fine Portrait Miniature by Scottish Miniaturist James Ferguson - 18th Century

Foskett records that 'the sitters' upper eyelids and eyebrows are usually strongly delineated'. His work was seldom if ever signed . A fine pen and ink portrait 'Prince Charles Edward Stuart', 2" in diameter, was sold in London 1972. Represented in the V&A, London and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The miniature measures 5.5cm plus frame.

Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Date of Manufacture

Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors has dated this Georgian Portrait Miniature Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239789
Dealers Internal Ref
CDAX
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2012
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors Profile Page

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An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger.
1 / 6
Archive I An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger.

A Fine Portrait Miniature by Scottish Miniaturist James Ferguson - 18th Century

Archive II An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger. View II
Archive III An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
Telephone 07860 158 955
Location
Dorking
Surrey
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/gillcoe
Verified Since Jul 2012
Items For Sale 58
Items Sold 141
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors
Verified Since Jul 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/gillcoe
Verified
Jul 2012
For Sale
58
Sold
141
An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger.
A Fine Portrait Miniature by Scottish Miniaturist James Ferguson - 18th Century
Ref: SA1239789
An 18th-century oval monochrome miniature portrait of a gentleman in a period wig, housed in a gilt metal frame mounted on a black ebonised rectangular plaque with an acorn motif hanger.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPortrait Miniature
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialEbonised Wood, Gilt Metal, Paper, Glass
  • ColourBlack, Gold, Monochrome
  • MotifsAcorn hanger mount, Oval gilt frame, Ebonised rectangular plaque, Full powdered wig
  • SizeH 5.5 cm (2 in)

This 18th-century portrait miniature presents a Georgian gentleman wearing a long powdered wig, waistcoat, and coat with floral motifs. The artwork is executed in monochrome pencil on card, depicting a subject with strongly delineated eyebrows and upper eyelids. The piece comprises an oval gilt metal frame with reeded mouldings, set against a rectangular black ebonised wood plaque finished with a cast metal acorn and oak leaf hanger mount. Visible wear includes slight surface tarnish on the gold-toned metal frame and subtle grain variations across the dark wooden backing. The miniature measures 5.5 cm high. It belongs in a gentleman's library, displayed on a narrow wall space to appreciate the fine details of the portrait.

FAQs

A portrait miniature is a small, detailed portrait created during the 18th century, typically rendered on vellum, card, or ivory, and housed in an ornate locket or framed mount.

Artists commonly used watercolour, gouache, or graphite on card, vellum, or ivory, framed within gilt-brass, gold, or ebonised wood mounts protected by glass.

Authentic pieces feature period-correct costume detail, delicate hand work, original glass, period backings, and historical mounting styles like ebonised fruitwood plaques with acorn hangers.

These compact artworks display well arranged on a gallery wall, placed on a narrow ledge, or displayed inside an alcove alongside period furnishings and brass decor.

Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperature fluctuations, dusting the frame gently with a clean microfibre cloth.
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