{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O78685"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78685/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL3747/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL3747/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AL3747","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2017JY2094","copyright":"©Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O78685/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O78685","accessionNumber":"P.25-1929","objectType":"Enamel miniature","titles":[{"title":"Enamel portrait miniature of an unknown man","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"<b>Object Type</b><br>A 'miniature' in the 18th century was specifically a painting in watercolour on ivory. The techniques of enamel painting were first perfected on the Continent in the early 17th century by goldsmiths such as Jean Petitot.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>Enamel is a type of glass coloured by metal oxides and fused to a metal base by firing in a kiln.  Each colour has a different melting point and so must be applied and fired  individually. To achieve a work of sophistication many applications and firings are required, and careful calculations are needed to avoid accidents in the firing process.<br><br><b>People</b><br>Like most early 18th-century English miniaturists Gervase Spencer taught himself the art of painting in watercolour on ivory; originally he had been a footman.  As enamels were fashionable at this time Spencer also learnt this complex art, apparently without any lessons.<br><br><b>Ownership & Use</b><br>The memoirs of Spencer's fellow miniaturist Samuel Finney describe how clients often ordered a portrait both in miniature (watercolour on ivory) and in enamel.  Unlike miniatures, enamels were richly coloured and tough and durable.  This enamel is expensively set with diamonds.  The frame has a series of holes at the top and bottom so that it could be sewn to a ribbon, and is slightly curved so it can be worn comfortably on the wrist.","physicalDescription":"Enamel portrait miniature on copper, depicting an unknown man","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Spencer, Gervase","id":"A9831"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"copper","id":"AAT11020"},{"text":"enamel","id":"AAT14910"}],"techniques":[{"text":"painting","id":"x30598"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Enamel on copper","categories":[{"text":"Paintings","id":"THES48917"},{"text":"Portraits","id":"THES48906"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"PDP","id":"THES48595"},"images":["2006AL3747","2017JY2094"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"52D (VA)","id":"THES49257"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":"17"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"miniature (painting)","id":"AAT33936"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1757","earliest":"1757-01-01","latest":"1757-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Bequeathed by Miss Grace Valentine Stephenson as part of the R. H. Stephenson Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"2.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"image","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"2.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"image","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Painted in London by Gervase Spencer (died in 1763)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Enamel portrait miniature on copper, depicting an unknown man, by Gervase Spencer.  Great Britain, 1757.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"portrait","id":"AAT33936"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"British Galleries:\nPortrait miniatures were already well-established in England by the 16th century. They often formed a part of personal jewellery and their popularity continued into the 18th century as a private form of celebration or commemoration. They were often painted in watercolours on ivory or, as in this case, in enamel colours in copper, following a Continental tradition.","date":{"text":"27/03/2003","earliest":"2003-03-27","latest":"2003-03-27"}}],"partNumbers":["P.25-1929"],"accessionNumberNum":"25","accessionNumberPrefix":"P","accessionYear":1929,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP9442","2019LP2451","2019LU8449"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-22","recordCreationDate":"2003-03-27","availableToBook":false}}