A Pledge of Love

Gervase Spencer’s career as a miniaturist apparently began whilst he was working as a gentleman’s valet in a London household during the 1740s. A talented draughtsman, he was self-taught and became a prolific artist working competently on ivory and in enamel. He received commissions from the royal family and from aristocracy as evidenced by this portrait of a well-to-do young lady elegantly attired in a patterned pink dress with a matching choker necklace and earrings. To complete her emsemble she has colourful sprigs of flowers on her corsage and tucked into her hair.

The portrait is signed with initials and dated 176- (the final digit is obscured by the edge of the frame). It is handsomely framed with a tiny seed pearl border, the reverse glazed to show plaited hair and the phrase GAGE D’AMOUR (pledge or token of love) inscribed on a plaque within a jewelled border.

Ivory Exemption Ref.: HEHPZ5HU