Morgan Miniatures

Month ago it was announced that J. Pierpont Morgan had sold six of his father's most valuable paintings (TIME, Feb. 11). The proceeds were to be used some day by Banker Morgan's executors to pay for the transfer of his estate to his heirs. Last week came another announcement: in May or June 900 gem-studded Morgan miniatures on ivory, valued at $600,000, will go on sale at Christie's in London.

The lot included 18 miniatures by Jean & Franc,ois Clouet; 75 by the 18th Century's master miniaturist, Jean Baptiste Jacques Augustin; 56 by the British master, Richard Cosway; and one called Group of Five Persons in a Landscape said to be the only miniature ever painted by Jean Antoine Watteau. Prize of the collection is The Armada Jewel, a minuscule painting sent by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Francis Walsingham, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, for his help in outfitting the English fleet that defeated Spain. The jewel's face bears a gold relief profile bust of the Queen. Inside the reverse side is another portrait of Elizabeth by Nicholas Milliard. On the back is an enamel picture of the Ark, floating safely on a calm sea.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.