Description
James II, an oval silver Memorial portrait clich by John Roettier , 1701, showing his laureate bust right, his hair long over his right shoulder, wearing aromour with shoulder plate in the form of a mask, 88 on the truncation, + IACOBVS. II. D:G: MAG: BRIT: FR: ET. HIB: REX. NAT: OCT. 17. 33. OB: SEP: 4: 1701. 67. 94.5 x 81.4mm. The clich contained in a red leather case [c. 1920's], with fitted green velvet interior and named in gilt below a crown, "JAMES II. - SILVER PLAQUE". Nearly extremely fine, toned and excessively rare .
James died in exile at Versailles from a cerebral haemorrhage on the 6 th September, 1701. A clich is by definition a uniface die-struck image on a very thin metal flan. References, H. Farquhar, "A Series of Portrait Plaques in Thin Silver, Struck in Stuart Times, Technically Called Shells or Clich , British Numismatic Journal , Vol. XVI, 1925, pp 228-249. Also, H. Farquhar, "Portraiture of our Stuart Monarchs on their Coins and Medals - James II" , British Numismatic Journal , Vol. VI, 1910, pp. 213-285; Edward Hawkins & others, Medallic Illustration s, vol. II, 215/358; plate CXIII, 5. A similar piece is recorded without the memorial legend, and the "88" on the truncation could refer to the date of this earlier piece. Farquhar attributes the piece to John rather than Norbert Roettier. Provenance: Bought Spink & Son, 1974.