Painted in sepia monochrome with a portrait of Dean Swift within an oval of gilt oak leaves. The pierced border with purple feathering and beaded gilt rim. The cavetto with engine turned flutes.
Plates painted by the same hand with portraits of John Milton and The Duke of Marlborough are also known. The unusually high quality suggests an independent decorating studio, perhaps in London.
Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), the Anglo-Irish writer is best known for his satire Gulliver’s Travels.

Condition:
Some surfaces scratches and wear to gilt border

Provenance:
The collection of Mrs A.R. Lewis, sold Sotheby’s, London, 22 December, 1970, lot 101
The Tom Walford Collection

This item has been sold