Abraham Daniel
Portrait miniature of a Gentleman, thought to be a member of the Edwards family of Talgarth Hall, wearing blue coat and white cravat, his hair powdered, c. 1795
Watercolour on ivory
Oval, 2 9/16 in. (65 mm.) high
Philip Mould & Co.
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com This portrait miniature is veiled in mystery. Pryce Edwards of Talgarth Hall (d. 1809) is identified on the reverse, the...
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com
This portrait miniature is veiled in mystery. Pryce Edwards of Talgarth Hall (d. 1809) is identified on the reverse, the only son of Lewis and Ann Edwards. However, Pryce Edwards died at age 23. This sitter appears not only to be older than this age but the sitter’s costume is inconsistent with a date of 1809. It is far more likely that this miniature was painted c.1795. It is possible that this portrait is another member of the Edwards family, possibly his father, Lewis Edwards.
The Pryce family owned Pennal Tower estate, near the village of Pennal, Merioneth. The male line of descendants ended with Robert Pryce in 1702. His daughter Mary inherited the estate who then left it to Humphrey Edwards of Talgarth (c.1700-1772), son of Lewys Edwards of Talgarth and Tonfane (b. c.1670). It was this Humphrey Edwards who built the current mansion at Talgarth between 1772 and 1774. The remainder of the estate was passed to Lewis Edwards, Humphrey’s son (1748-1797). Both Humphrey and Lewis Edwards were High Sheriffs of Merionethshire under George II and George III in 1759 and 1773 respectively. Lewis married Anne Pryce and together had three children, Pryce Edwards (d. 1809), Mary Edwards (1779-1803) and Frances Edwards (1790-1828). Talgarth Hall remained in the Edwards family until it was sold to the Sotheby family in 1850, the founders of the London auction house.
This portrait miniature is veiled in mystery. Pryce Edwards of Talgarth Hall (d. 1809) is identified on the reverse, the only son of Lewis and Ann Edwards. However, Pryce Edwards died at age 23. This sitter appears not only to be older than this age but the sitter’s costume is inconsistent with a date of 1809. It is far more likely that this miniature was painted c.1795. It is possible that this portrait is another member of the Edwards family, possibly his father, Lewis Edwards.
The Pryce family owned Pennal Tower estate, near the village of Pennal, Merioneth. The male line of descendants ended with Robert Pryce in 1702. His daughter Mary inherited the estate who then left it to Humphrey Edwards of Talgarth (c.1700-1772), son of Lewys Edwards of Talgarth and Tonfane (b. c.1670). It was this Humphrey Edwards who built the current mansion at Talgarth between 1772 and 1774. The remainder of the estate was passed to Lewis Edwards, Humphrey’s son (1748-1797). Both Humphrey and Lewis Edwards were High Sheriffs of Merionethshire under George II and George III in 1759 and 1773 respectively. Lewis married Anne Pryce and together had three children, Pryce Edwards (d. 1809), Mary Edwards (1779-1803) and Frances Edwards (1790-1828). Talgarth Hall remained in the Edwards family until it was sold to the Sotheby family in 1850, the founders of the London auction house.
Provenance
By repute, from a direct descendant of Josiah Nisbet, Admiral Lord Nelson's step-son2
of
2