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WILLIAM ESSEX (1784-1869)
Bracelet with miniatures of Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice
c.1854-61Gold, champlevé enamel, pearls, hair, velvet | 19.5 x 3.0 x 0.7 cm (whole object) (whole object) | RCIN 4796
Gold and blue champlevé enamel bracelet, each square link centred by a circular miniature surrounded by four pearls; head and shoulders of three children: Prince Arthur; facing slightly to the right in a blue tunic with gold border, Leopold: facing slightly to the left, Beatrice: facing half to the right. Each compartment engraved on reverse with sitter's name, birthdate and date presented: inset with locks of hair. Inscribed on back of miniature of Prince Leopold 'HRH / Prince Leopold / at the age of 4 / [pa]inted by W. Essex / After Sir W.C. Ross.'
William Essex painted the miniatures in the accompanying bracelet (RCIN 4797) and those of Princes Arthur and Leopold here, but William Bell pianted the miniature of Princess Beatrice, copying an original by Dixon.
Bell was the only son of William Bell (b.1801), an engraver and enameller. His father sent him to train under the enamel painter Gaspart Lamunière (1810-65) in Geneva and he secured his first royal commission in March 1850. Bell was employed by the Queen for almost fifty years to paint enamel miniatures, often copying Winterhalter's portraits for her collection and for gifts. These were sometimes set into jewellery, particularly brooches for her maids of honour. He was awarded an annual pension of £20 by the Queen; this was honoured after her death by Edward VII until the artist's death.
Entry adapted from Victoria & Albert, Art & Love, Royal Collection, 2010
William Essex painted the miniatures in the accompanying bracelet (RCIN 4797) and those of Princes Arthur and Leopold here, but William Bell pianted the miniature of Princess Beatrice, copying an original by Dixon.
Bell was the only son of William Bell (b.1801), an engraver and enameller. His father sent him to train under the enamel painter Gaspart Lamunière (1810-65) in Geneva and he secured his first royal commission in March 1850. Bell was employed by the Queen for almost fifty years to paint enamel miniatures, often copying Winterhalter's portraits for her collection and for gifts. These were sometimes set into jewellery, particularly brooches for her maids of honour. He was awarded an annual pension of £20 by the Queen; this was honoured after her death by Edward VII until the artist's death.
Entry adapted from Victoria & Albert, Art & Love, Royal Collection, 2010
