Charles I

Charles I, an oval silver memorial portrait cliché medallion, undated, by John Roettier, his bust right, in plain armour, hair long and love-lock over left shoulder, CAROLUS DG MAG BRIT FRA ET HIB REX GLORIA MEMO, and below bust, OBIT IA 30 1648 ÆTAT 49, 96 x 79mm (MI 347/202; Platt p. 107, this piece illustrated; Farquhar I, pp.276-277), in late 18th century glazed and ebonized frame. The surface a little crimped, good very fine and excessively rare.

This piece is the earliest in a small group of extremely rare royal portrait medallions. Examples are known of Charles I, Charles II, James II, William III and Mary and they are discussed at some length in the text to MI plate CLXXXIII.

Provenance: Spink Auction, 22-23 June, 2011 (lot 785).