Portrait of James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), in Turkish dress, smoking a hookah

GEORGE CHINNERY (LONDON 1774-1852 MACAO)
Portrait of James Silk Buckingham (1786-1855), in Turkish dress, smoking a hookah
signed and dated 'Geo:Chinnery - April 25. 1820' (lower right) and with the sitter's inscription 'Memorandum/ The spirited and masterly sketch on the opposite page/ was taken of me while dressed in Turkish garments made at Baghdad, during my stay there in the year 1816. It is from/ the pencil of my excellent & esteemed friend, and accomplished/ Artist - George Chinnery Esq. and was done for the great picture/ of my dear Nieces, Marianne & Louisa - and the ultimate/ inspection of Mrs Buckingham the children - as a faithful/ delineation of costume. This little occupation was only one of many equally agreeable ones, with which we passed the/ evening, enjoying the music of the young ladies - the agreeable/ conversation of my friend Col. Young - and the inexhaustible/ fund of humour and good nature of Chinnery's never ending mirth/ & wit. My the evening of the 25th of April - thus happily/ passed - be long remembered - those who shared its pleasures - those/ who were longed for to participated in them - be as happy every/ evening of their lives./ J.S. Buckingham' (verso)
pencil with fixative on paper
7³⁄₈ x 9³⁄₈ in. (18.7 x 23.8 cm.)

The sitter and by descent.

London, Martyn Gregory, Merchants & Mariners, cat. 98, 2018, no. 19.

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