Our 19 May Old Master, British & European Art auction features portraits of the third and fourth Prime Ministers of Great Britain; forming part of The James Thursby-Pelham Collection.
14 May 2026
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The paintings of Henry Pelham, Prime Minister from 1743-54 and his brother Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, who served two terms between 1754-62 are offered by a descendant of the renowned early 20th century connoisseur James Thursby Pelham (1869-1947).
The oval bust-length portrait of Henry Pelham (1694-1754) is one of two recorded by the Swedish-born artist Michael Dahl (c.1659-1743). Both show the sitter wearing a gilded and etched Elizabethan armour, once belonging to Sir John Smythe, that is today preserved in the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Dahl was one of several artists who made use of the armour as a costume prop to evoke memories of the chivalric age. The picture, estimated between £3,000-5,000, was painted some time before Pelham came to power in 1743. While the position of ‘prime minister’ evolved across a century (full parliamentary usage of the term did not start until around 1805) Henry Pelham is generally considered to have been Britain's third premier, after Robert Walpole and the Earl of Wilmington. It was during his tenure that the 1745 Jacobite uprising erupted.
Michael Dahl (Swedish, circa 1659-1743), Portrait of Henry Pelham, bust-length, in armour (£3,000-5,000)
An oval portrait of Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle (1693-1768), is one of two in the sale by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723). It shows the Whig statesman in a crimson velvet coat and silk scarf and is signed and dated 1722, at which time Newcastle was 29 years old and holding the office of Lord Chamberlain. On his brother’s death in March 1754, Newcastle succeeded him as prime minister but lost the post in November 1756 after he was blamed for Britain's poor start to the Seven Years' War. His second term from 1757-62 included a partnership with William Pitt. King George III, who described Pitt as a "snake in the grass" and Newcastle as his "knave", removed him from office; the last time a British monarch was able to sack the prime minister purely out of personal animosity. Kneller’s 1722 portrait is accompanied by a pendant image of Newcastle’s sister Lucy Pelham-Holles, Countess of Lincoln (c.1695-1736) that was likely painted the same year.
Sir Godfrey Kneller (German-British, 1646-1723), Portrait of Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle, in a crimson velvet coat and silk scarf (£4,000-6,000)
Many collectors of art and antiques will be familiar with the name of James Thursby-Pelham (1869-1947). Pieces from his considerable holdings of 18th century mahogany and early oak were used to illustrate the landmark 1924 first edition of The Dictionary of English Furniture by Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards. Pelham’s collection - displayed at the palatial family home, Cound Hall in the Welsh Marches - achieved further recognition in the 1920s when it was the subject of a four-part feature in Country Life magazine.
The Pelham portraits depict both family members and prominent figures of the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian ages. A particularly fine oil on panel portrait of a Belgium courtier, painted by Gillis Claeissens (1526-1605), is to be included in a forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Gillis Claeissens; an artist from Bruges whose work has only quite recently been distinguished from that of his father and siblings.
Gillis Claeissens (Flemish, 1526-1605), Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, in a gorget with his hand on a helmet, formerly identified as Sir Philip Sidney (£10,000-20,000)
A three-quarter-length portrait of a 17th century lady, shown seated in a flowing grey dress with blue wrap and holding a floral wreath has a guide of £3,000-5,000. Although the sitter of this canvas has traditionally been identified as Philadelphia Pelham, later Lady Howard of Effingham (1654-85), the painting may depict an earlier subject. Sworders have attributed it to the distinctive hand of Robert Walker (1599-1658), an artist working in the Interregnum who often borrowed from Sir Anthony Van Dyck in his compositions. A studio derivation of Van Dyck's famous image of The Children of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria showing Charles, Prince of Wales (born 1630), and the Princesses Mary (born 1631) and Elizabeth (born 1635) also features in the forthcoming auction. The royal children appear in numerous portraits by Anthony van Dyck with the original of this painting now preserved in the Royal Collection.
Studio of Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), The children of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria, Charles, Prince of Wales, and the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth (£4,000-6,000)
Items of furniture from The James Thursby-Pelham Collection will be offered for sale in our upcoming Fine Interiors auction, on Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 June: click here to browse the online preview, ahead of the full catalogue going live soon.
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Our 19 May Old Master, British & European Art auction features portraits of the third and fourth Prime Ministers of Great Britain; forming part of The James Thursby-Pelham Collection.
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