later inscribed backboard verso: Gibbon / the Historian / Enamel / from the Original / painted by Sir Jos. Reynolds / who lent it to the / artist / Bone

Anonymous sale, Phillips London, 3 July 2001, lot𓄧 🧸67

The minaiture is in fine condition. Filet clip at lower centre edge only visible on very close inspection. For further information regarding this lot please contact Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@laitexier.com emmeline.hallmark@laitexier.com
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter was the only surviving son of Edward Gibbon (1707-1770), M.P. and farmer, and Judith (1709-1747) daughter of James Porten. Born with an insatiable appetite for study and learning, Gibbon had a wide-ranging education involving a combination of Westminster School, Magdalen College, Oxford, a five year stay at Lausanne, Switzerland (1753-8) and a Grand Tour to Italy between 1763 and 1764.

His father's death in 1772 provided him with the means to settle in London. Although he entered parliament in 1774 as M.P. for Liskard and held the post of Commissioner of Trade and Plantations, he achieved lasting fame as an historian; in particular with Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which was published in six volumes between 1774 and 1784. The book was soon acknowledged as one of the most significant publications of the age. Gibbon proudly recalled in his memoirs that a copy was to be found 'on every table and almost on every toilette'.

Despite the success of Decline and Fall, the financial strains of living in fashionable society in London were never far away. To combat this, Gibbon moved to Lausanne where he lived between 1783 and 1793. The present enamel is based upon Sir Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Edward Gibbon, 1779 (Private Collection).