Britannia Set Me Free

Sale 2105 - Lot 20

Price Realized: $ 3,120

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 3,500 - $ 5,000

COMMEMORATING THE EMANCIPATION ACT OF 1833-34 Britannia Set Me Free. Elaborate anti-slavery miniature painting and collage on ivory, 1 3/16 x 1 5/16 inches (3 1/2x4cm). Depicts a kneeling slave, in relief (made of resin?) at the feet of Britannia; a banner above his head reads "Britannia Set Me Free," a slave ship lies at sea in the background; exquisitely, and minutely detailed with a tiny (gold?) collar, chain and shackles; set on a background of mica; over this is a convex piece of glass with very fine reverse-painted lines, framing the miniature within a square; the glass, with gold and white concentric circular borders, measures 2-5/16 inches; the whole is enclosed in a round piece of soapstone with molded edges; a couple of age cracks to the soapstone; Overall measurement 4 inches. Np [Great Britain], circa 1834

Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

This piece was likely made to commemorate the Emancipation Act of 1833-34.