Portrait of a Man

Description The subject, a bewigged young man, is shown bust-length, in three-quarter view, wearing a cravat, buttoned coat, and mantle. Inscribed on the bottom side of the bust is: "And. Pozzi F.c," and below: "C. H. W. Roma 1755." The initials C. H. W. were formerly identified as those of the British diplomat and satirical writer Sir Charles Hanbury Williams (1708-1759). However, the ivory image bears little resemblance to the known portraits of Williams, who was serving in St. Petersburg at the time the sculpture was made. Andrea Pozzi (Pozzo) was an ivory carver who worked for Charles III of Spain. The reverse bears a paper sticker: IVORY MEDALLION, PORTRAIT OF / SIR CHARLES HANBURY WILLIAMS / :1709-1759: / SIGNED,: AND. POZZI FE, ROMA 1755.; another oval paper sticker is inscribed "5."

Provenance Jeffrey Whitehead Collection; Christie's Sale, London, December 10, 1910, lot 88; George R. Harding, London [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, April 26, 1911, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Inscription] On the bottom side of the bust : And. Pozzi F.c; [Inscription] Below the bust: C. H. W. Roma 1755; [Sticker] On paper on reverse: IVORY MEDALLION, PORTRAIT OF / SIR CHARLES HANBURY WILLIAMS / :1709-1759: / SIGNED,: AND. POZZI FE, ROMA 1755.; [Number] On paper sticker: 5

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1911