Verso: old handwritten labels.
The Sneyds of Keele Hall, Staffordshire, were an ancient family who owned Keele Hall (now Keele University) for over 400 years.(see Image 10)
Their coat of arms featured a scythe and a fleur-de-lis and the motto "nec opprimere nec opprimi" NEVER OPPRESSED, NEVER OPPRESSOR. The first recorded member of the family was Ailnoth de Snode in 1214.
"The Sneyds rose from a small-scale landowning family in the Middle Ages to their position as one of the main gentry families of Staffordshire from the 16th until the end of the 19th Century. The Sneyds made use of law, government, trade, the Church and good marriages as well as acquisition of land to increase their wealth and status.
Having once achieved their place in gentry society the Sneyds then led a life appropriate to members of that landed elite. Thus they ran their estates, engaged in county politics and became active in the Church of England. At times of crisis, such as the Civil War and the French Revolution, they also showed themselves determined supporters of the status quo, willing to risk life and wealth to defend their position and beliefs. Although in some ways typical members of their class there were certain aspects of the Sneyds which marked them out as unusual for a gentry family. For example, they were especially active in industrial development from pre-Industrial Revolution times onward and it was this involvement which later provided them with their greatest wealth. Another marked feature of the family was the emphasis which they placed on education and culture as their Grand Tours and artistic activities showed."
From the 'Sneyd Family Book, A History of a Staffordshire Family'by Michael Ralph Sneyd.
Verso: old handwritten labels: "Anna Sneyd, daughter of Ralph Sneyd who married George Spearman son of Gilbert Spearman of Bishops Middleton, Durham. They had two daughters Anna......, Elizh. Honoria - the latter married ....Willm John Spearman....."
Another old label partly obscured by the following:-
"This picture to my nephew Willoughby Spearman Wasey on my death. Harriet Jean Wasey, Foscote Lodge, 1932"
Foscote Lodge is in Donnington Square, Newbury; Harriet lived to be 84, dying in 1940.
The Spearmans were also an ancient gentry family with Bishop Middleton Hall, Co. Durham, as their seat.
Gilbert Spearman (1675-1738) was a lawyer and collector of ancient documents in Co. Durham. His father, John, who died in 1703, had been Deputy Registrar to Durham Court of Chancery and Undersheriff of the County Palatine.
ALLAN RAMSAY 1713–1784.
Ramsay was born in Edinburgh.
Ramsay studied in London at St Martin's Lane Academy and at Hans Hysing's studio, before going to Italy to study. On his return he settled in London, although he continued to be active in Edinburgh. Between 1754 and 1757 he was in Italy, mostly in Rome. During his prime period he had a virtual monopoly on court painting. He became the official painter to George III in 1760, and Principal Painter-in-Ordinary in 1767. His assistants included David Martin, Alexander Nasmyth and Philip Reinagle.
SIZE: 50 x 44.5 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE:
By descent, then probably sold in the Keele Hall dispersal sale in 1924 when the Sneyds left.
(A portrait of Ralph Sneyd sold at that sale has an identical frame.)
Private Collection, Surrey.
With Roy Precious Fine Art 1998.
Private Collection, Lancashire.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Portrait of Anna Spearman (Nee Sneyd) C.1735, Circle or Studio of Allan Ramsay.
