Page 86 - Christie's London China Trade Paintings Kelton Collection

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GEORGE CHINNERY (1774-1852)
Captain Christopher Biden seated, small three-quarter length with his dog Hector
oil on canvas
11Ω x 9Ωin. (29.2 x 24.1cm.)
in a Chinese carved wood frame

[With:] [BIDEN, Christopher, Captain (1789-1858)]. Commonplace book of Harriott Biden, [Madras, c.1855-c.1858]. c.151 text pages,
250 x 200mm, containing transcriptions of letters and documents received and sent by Captain Christopher Biden and others in the
hand of his wife, as well as newspaper cuttings, near all relating to his role as Master Attendant and Marine Storekeeper at Madras,
but also including a transcribed poem, ‘To Hector’, an ode to the same faithful dog of Biden’s represented in the present portrait [a
typed card 'Collection of Capt. Christopher Biden / Commonplace Book' loosely inserted describes the contents including 'a poem
written by a fellow oficer at sea to "Hector", Capt. Biden's dog (with him in Chinery (sic) portrait)] ...' Original half-cloth binding with
marbled boards. (2)
£15,000-20,000 US$19,000-25,000
€17,000-23,000

PROVENANCE:
Anon.(?) sale, Phillips, Bath, 27 May 1996, lot 359 (the commonplace book, and possibly the portrait).
The transcription of M.J. Fletcher's poem to Hector 'On board the Victory Feby 28th 1833' puts the portrait, with Hector, in the
1830s, when Biden was presumably at Macao for his sitting. Biden was an East India Company captain, who also commanded the
Royal George, and Princess Charlotte of Wales, and wrote Naval Discipline (London, 1830), an account of insurrections at sea and the
need for discipline.

84 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.