Antique, 19thC, Porcelain Portrait, Duchess of Devonshire, After Gainsborough, Rococo Gilt Frame,

Description

Antique 19th Century Hand-Painted Porcelain Portrait Plaque

Lady Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire — After Thomas Gainsborough (1787) — With Provenance Label

A striking and well-documented antique hand-painted oval porcelain portrait plaque depicting Lady Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, after the celebrated portrait by Thomas Gainsborough (1787). The subject is captured with well-defined powdered curls beneath a bold, dark grey wide-brimmed hat with white and orange-red feather plumes, a crisp white fur stole at her shoulders, and a delicate rose at the breast. The painting displays confident, vivid brushwork with excellent detail and strong colour retention.

The Frame

Housed in a deeply carved rococo gilt frame featuring bold acanthus scrolls, floral and shell motifs at the corners, and a delicate beaded oval inner border. The gilding shows natural variation and warm shadowing in the recesses, consistent with original period gilding in very presentable condition.

Provenance

The reverse of the plaque bears a collector’s identification label reading:

“DEVONSHIRE — Lady Georgiana Spencer, married 5th Duke of Devonshire, 1774. By T. Gainsborough.”

This label, added by a previous collector or dealer, confirms the long-held identification of the subject and the Gainsborough source portrait. The reverse also retains its original black painted backing board and aged string hanger, typical of 19th-century Continental European framing construction.

About the Subject

Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757–1806), Duchess of Devonshire, was one of the most celebrated women of Georgian England — an aristocrat, socialite, political activist and style icon. Her portrait by Thomas Gainsborough became one of the most famous and widely reproduced images of the era, and porcelain versions such as this were highly prized decorative objects throughout the Victorian period.

Catalogue Details

• Subject: Lady Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire — confirmed by verso label
• Medium: Hand-painted porcelain plaque
• Style: Bold, crisply detailed, vivid, confident brushwork
• Frame: Rococo carved gilt, original warm patina
• Period: Mid-to-late 19th century
• Origin: Continental European
• Condition: Good throughout — portrait vivid and well-preserved; frame shows honest age-related wear consistent with period
• Provenance: Collector’s identification label to reverse

Shipping

Royal Mail Tracked 48, carefully bubble wrapped and double boxed. UK mainland only — please contact us for an international postage quote.

Please Note

Most objects sold in our gallery are antiques, vintage or used; therefore, they will show signs of being antique, vintage or used. There may be signs of scratches, discolouration, chips, cracks, wear and tear, unknown manufacturers and/or patterns. Please see the photographs as they form part of the description. Overseas buyers in some countries may be required to pay import duties, taxes, or fees. All items are meticulously wrapped and prepared for both UK and international shipping — overseas buyers, please get in touch for courier charges.