Case
Category
Leatherwork
Date
1733 (circa)
Materials
Shagreen covered case lined with plush and with metal hinge and clasp
Measurements
70 x 55 mm
Collection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 290486.2
Summary
An irregular shaped, fish skin covered case for a portrait miniature of Sir Henry Harpur, 5th Bt. (1708 – 1748), attributed to Christian Friedrich Zincke (1685-1767), c.1733 Lined in original blue plush, the case has a metal hinge and a clasp for securing the case when closed. There is a recess in the lining in which the portrait is housed and a hole in the top of the case to accommodate the hanging ring on the portraits frame.
Full description
This case probably contains the portrait miniature commissioned by Catherine Crewe, Lady Harpur (1682-1745) from Christian Friedrich Zincke (1685-1767) in 1733 for £25.0.0 and documented in her account book as ‘my sons Picktur in Enamell’ (Derbyshire Record Office, D2375/F/F/2/3). Catherine bequeathed it to her daughter-in-law, Lady Caroline Manners (d. 1769) as 'my son Sir Henry Harpurs picture in Enamell done by Zincks’ (National Archives, PROB/11/737/410). It was recorded in the 1886 inventory of the family jewel case as ‘Miniature of the 1st Sir Henry Harpur in enamel set with Brilliants – in shagreen case’. (Derbyshire Record Office, D2375/H/F/2/27).
Provenance
Case for portrait miniature of Sir Henry Harpur, 5th Bt. (1708-48), probably that commissioned by his mother, Catherine Crewe, Lady Harpur (1682-1745) from Christian Friedrich Zincke (1685-1767) in 1733 for £25.0.0. Bequeathed by her to Lady Caroline Manners (d.1769) as 'my son Sir Henry Harpurs picture in Enamell done by Zincks'. Recorded in the 1886 inventory of the family jewel case. Thence by descent to Henry Harpur-Crewe (1921-91) and transferred with Calke Abbey and its contents to the National Trust by the Treasury in lieu of Capital Transfer Tax in 1985 with an endowment provided by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.