Sarah Biffin Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Sarah Biffin Art Value Price Guide

Oct. 16, 2024
Biffin (Sarah, 1784-1850). Miniature portrait of Mrs Parry, by Miss Biffin Without Hands, 1822
Est: £500 - £800
Biffin (Sarah, 1784-1850). Miniature portrait of Mrs Parry, by Miss Biffin Without Hands, 1822 * Biffin (Sarah, 1784-1850). Oval miniature portrait of Mrs Parry, by Miss Biffin Without Hands, 1822, watercolour and gouache on card, head and shoulders portrait, half-profile to right, of a lady with flowing long white hair, curled around the forehead, wearing a black dress with white sleeves, and a gold chain, light mottling, artist’s manuscript inscription on verso ‘Painted by Miss Biffin Without Hands 1822. Bruxelles - and presented to Mrs Parry as a small token of gratitude for the many kindness’s Miss Biffin received from her during her stay in Bruxelles’, inscription edge-trimmed with slight losses, 9 x 6.7 cm (3 1/2 x 2 5/8 ins) QTY: (1) NOTE: The remarkable Sarah Biffin (or Biffen), sometimes known by her married name of Mrs Wright, was born without arms and legs, yet taught herself not only to write and sew, but also to paint miniature portraits as well as any able-bodied artist. Sarah was born into a poor family, and, determined not to be a burden on her parents, she learnt to use a pen, paintbrush, needle, and scissors, before the age of ten, using her mouth and right arm stump. She began her career exhibiting her skills as a curiosity, touring the country with a travelling fair, billed as ‘The Limbless Wonder’. Her fame spread and she came to the notice of the Earl of Morton who became her patron, sponsoring her to study at the Royal Academy and helping her to secure commissions from members of the aristocracy as well as the royal family. That a disabled woman from a humble background in the 19th century was able to become a celebrated professional artist is testament to her perseverance and resilience. Sarah Biffin’s miniature portraits have become increasingly sought after, and in 2019 one of her self-portraits sold at Sotheby’s for £110,000 hammer price. The portrait offered here is somewhat unusual in showing the sitter with her hair flowing loose, which lends it a certain intimacy, and the artist’s presentation inscription on the back shows that Miss Biffin evidently knew Mrs Parry quite well.
Dominic Winter Auctions
Sep. 28, 2023
Sarah W. Biffin (1784 - 1850), half-length oval portrait of a lady with flowers in her hair and wearing a large gold necklace, unsigned, watercolour, sealed in the frame but believed to be labelled verso 'Original Works of Miss S. Biffin. Born...
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
Sarah W. Biffin (1784 - 1850), half-length oval portrait of a lady with flowers in her hair and wearing a large gold necklace, unsigned, watercolour, sealed in the frame but believed to be labelled verso 'Original Works of Miss S. Biffin. Born without hands or arms, 18.5 x 15 cm, frame 37 x 30.5 cm
Dawsons Auctioneers
Jul. 06, 2023
Portrait of a young lady 'La Soeur de Didon'
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
Sarah Biffin Quantoxhead 1784 - Liverpool 1850 Portrait of a young lady 'La Soeur de Didon' Watercolour over pencil; signed, inscribed and dated lower centre: Drawn by Miss Biffin 1844 / without hands / La Soeur de Didon 217 by 180 mm
Sotheby's
Jul. 05, 2023
Self-portrait
Est: £12,000 - £18,000
Sarah Biffin Quantoxhead 1784 - Liverpool 1850 Self-portrait Watercolour and bodycolour, heightened with gum arabic on card 175 by 135 mm
Sotheby's
Feb. 25, 2023
BEFFIN, Sarah (1784 – 1850). Three Portraits of Armless Art...
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
BEFFIN, Sarah (1784 – 1850). THREE PORTRAITS OF ARMLESS ARTIST SARAH BEFFIN. London: Darton and Clarke, ca. 1820 [et al]. A triptych of three consecutive states of the well-known lithographed portrait of Biffen, the limb-deficient British artist, being a half-length front facing pose bedecked in a robe and fancy hat with feather adornment. The largest (sight) 12 x 8 ½”. Framed and matted to an overall size of 19 x 34 ½”. See Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women, pp. 66-67. Not examined out of frame. “Born without hands, feet, or legs, Miss Beffin supported herself by her artistic talent. She painted landscapes, portraits, and miniatures, some done on fine china. … [This display is of] three states (proof with pencil corrections, proof without letters, and final copy) of a lithograph by R.J. Stothard, taken from the original gouache self-portrait done by Miss Beffin … It is interesting that the states are progressively less flattering but more realistic. One imagines Miss Beffin requesting a more honest interpretation.” (Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women, pp. 64 - 67.)
Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
Dec. 15, 2021
Sarah Biffin (1784-1850)
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) Study of feathers inscribed in pen 'Drawn by Miss Biffin, 6th August 1812', watercolour 10.3 x 12cm; together with a handbill advertising her as an attraction 'During The Races', describing her as 'born deficient of arms and legs, she is of comely appearance, twenty-eight years of age, and is only thirty-seven inches high'. Provenance: The Peter and Pat Crofts Collection. Sarah Biffin was born in Somerset with no arms and only vestigial legs. She was apprenticed to a man called Dukes who exhibited her as an attraction throughout England. The Society of Arts awarded her a medal in 1821 and the Royal Academy accepted her work. She is thought to have had the condition phocomelia, but taught herself to write and paint, holding the pen or brush between her teeth. She has come to greater prominence in recent years, although the majority of her paintings that have emerged at auction have been portraits. The Earl of Marton died in 1827 leaving her without a noble sponsor, which caused her financial difficulties. Queen Victoria later awarded her a Civil List pension whereupon she retired to Liverpool and later married. Three similar works sold at Sotheby's this year: one also dated 1812 - 7 July 2021, lot 11, and two further smaller examples - 27 October 2021, lots 65 and 66.
Sworders
Dec. 09, 2020
Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)
Est: £500 - £800
Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) Portrait miniature of a lady, in a puce dress inscribed to the reverse 'Painted by Miss Biffin / Born without hands / Liverpool / 1846' watercolour on ivory 9.5 x 7cm Footnote: Sarah Biffin was born without arms or vestigial legs and was only 94 cm high. At a young age she was contracted under the service of a showman named Emmanuel Dukes, who presented her at fairs and sideshows as an attraction. Mr Dukes taught Miss Biffin how to paint, holding the paintbrush in her mouth, originally in order to increase her appeal for the public who came to watch her. However, she soon became a talented artist, and a demand grew for her work, which initially consisted of mainly landscapes and portrait miniatures. During her appearance at St. Bartholomew’s Fair in 1808, the Earl of Morton paid Miss Biffin a visit. He was so impressed with her skill at draughtsmanship that he sponsored Sarah and arranged private lessons for her by the Royal Academy painter, William Craig. Her popularity grew and she was accepted into the Royal Academy and awarded a medal by The Society of Artists in 1821. She was commissioned by the Royal Family to produce their portraits in miniature, including Queen Victoria. She was even mentioned by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby and Martin Chuzzlewit. After her patron the Earl of Morton passed away, Queen Victoria awarded her a civil pension, and she retired to Liverpool.
Cheffins
Oct. 13, 2020
SELF PAINTED PORTRAIT BY SARAH BIFFIN
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Self Painted Portrait by Sarah Biffin, (English, 1784-1850). Miss Sarah Wright Biffin is a well known miniature portrait artist born without arms or legs. She was originally instructed by an artist named Duke, and then further instructed byWolf Craig. She was commissioned by the Royal Family and Nobility, including Kings George III, George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria, and the King of Holland. Information on artist on verso, along with partial newspaper articles on Biffin,and a gallery label R. Jackson & Sons Print Sellers, Liverpool. Size: Frame: 15.5" H x 13.5" W. (NHJ NN)
Ashcroft and Moore
Jun. 26, 2020
SARAH WRIGHT BIFFIN (ENGLISH, 1784-1850) ORNITHOLOGICAL PAINTING
Est: $100 - $200
SARAH WRIGHT BIFFIN (ENGLISH, 1784-1850) ORNITHOLOGICAL PAINTING, watercolor and ink on paper, depicting a bird of prey overtop of its kill, inscribed "Drawn and written by Miss Biffin 1844 / without hands". Housed in a period frame.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Mar. 10, 2016
Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of Miss Ada Lovelace, three-quarter length signed lower centre "by Sarah Biffen without ....
Est: £500 - £800
Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of Miss Ada Lovelace, three-quarter length signed lower centre "by Sarah Biffen without ... 1842" sepia watercolour on buff paper, oval h:22 w:17 cm Other Notes: Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, was a British mathematician and writer who is considered to be the first computer programmer, due to her work on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. She was the daughter of poet Lord Byron - the only child he had with his wife Anne Isabella Milbanke, Baroness Wentworth. She was raised by her mother after her parents separated and Lord Byron left England, dying when his daughter was eight years old. She married Lord William King in 1835; King was made Earl of Lovelace in 1838, and Ada thus became Lady Lovelace. Due to her heritage, she became somewhat famous in society and often appeared at Court and high society events, but she had a brilliant mind and was interested in the sciences and mathematics from an early age. She became close acquaintances with Mary Somerville, a Scottish science writer and polymath (at a time when females were discouraged from working in scientific fields), and it was Mary who introduced her to Charles Babbage. Babbage dubbed her "The Enchantress of Numbers". She met him in 1833 when he had been building his Analytical Engine - a machine designed to make automatic calculations. Using her own ideas, Ada created a punch card system to make the Engine function and their partnership is generally regarded as the foundation of the computation systems of the future.
Cheffins
Mar. 10, 2016
Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of a dark haired gentleman, pointing to the right signed and dated lower left "S Biffin 1...
Est: £400 - £600
Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of a dark haired gentleman, pointing to the right signed and dated lower left "S Biffin 1822" and inscribed to the reverse "Miss Biffen without hands 1822" watercolour, in a red leather case h:9 w:8 cm Other Notes: Sarah Biffen was born without arms or vestigial legs and was only 94cm high. At a young age she was contracted under the service of a showman named Emmanuel Dukes, who presented her at fairs and sideshows as an attraction. Mr Dukes taught Miss Biffen how to paint, holding the paintbrush in her mouth, originally in order to increase her appeal for the public who came to watch her. However, she soon became a talented artist, and a demand grew for her work, which initially consisted of mainly landscapes and portrait miniatures. During her appearance at St. Bartholomew's Fair in 1808, the Earl of Morton paid Miss Biffen a visit. He was so impressed with her skill at draughtsmanship that he sponsored Sarah and arranged private lessons for her by the Royal Academy painter, William Craig. Her popularity grew and she was accepted into the Royal Academy and awarded a medal by The Society of Artists in 1821. She was comissioned by the Royal Family to produce their portraits in miniature, including Queen Victoria. She was even mentioned by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby and Martin Chuzzlewit. After her patron the Earl of Morton passed away, Queen Victoria awarded her a civil pension, and she retired to Liverpool.
Cheffins
Apr. 29, 2014
Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850), PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN, 1815-1819, sight 15.5" x 13" - 39.4 x 33 cm.
Est: $800 - $1,200
SARAH BIFFEN (BRITISH, 1784-1850)PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN, 1815-1819gouache on paper in modern frame, sight 15.5" x 13" - 39.4 x 33 cm.Note:'Miss. Biffen' (Beffin, Biffin) was born with no arms and only vestigial legs. In spite of her handicap she learned to write, do needlework and eventually paint which she did on display as a curiosity.
Waddington's
May. 30, 2013
Attributed to Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)
Est: -
A pair of miniatures portraying Evelyn Boscawen (1819-1889), 6th Viscount Falmouth and his wife, Mary Frances Elizabeth Stapleton (d.1891), Baroness le Despenser: the former, wearing black coat and waistcoat, white chemise and black tied stock; the latter, wearing dress over white chemise with lace collar, forget-me-nots at her bodice, her centrally parted hair upswept, the back plaited into a knot and interwoven with a strand of pearls (the latter cracked). Gilt-metal frames with pierced foliate borders and monogram crestings AA and MLAD (respectively) beneath the Viscount's coronet of six pearls, the reverse of each engraved ASPREY. 166 BOND ST & 22 ALBEMARLE ST. Rectangular, 108mm (4 1/4in) high (2)
Bonhams
Jan. 26, 2012
Mrs. Wright (a.k.a. Sarah Biffin) (British,
Est: £80 - £120
Mrs. Wright (a.k.a. Sarah Biffin) (British, 1784-1850) Still life of fruit with a butterfly Watercolour Inscribed 'Drawn by Mrs Wright without hands 1831' lower centre 21cm x 15.5cm
Dreweatts 1759
Nov. 24, 2010
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, wearing dress with lace trim, gold, ruby, emerald and pearl jewels at her waist, corsage and sleeves, a bracelet on her left wrist, rings on the middle fingers of both hands, she holds a closed fan in
Est: £500 - £700
A Lady, wearing dress with lace trim, gold, ruby, emerald and pearl jewels at her waist, corsage and sleeves, a bracelet on her left wrist, rings on the middle fingers of both hands, she holds a closed fan in her right hand, her hair in loose ringlets. Watercolour on paper, signed on the obverse and dated by Miss Biffin without/ 1842, brass frame. Oval, 224mm (8 13/16in) high
Bonhams
Nov. 25, 2009
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, seated in a red upholstered chair, wearing grey dress with gold belt buckle, elaborate white lace veil about her head and tied beneath her chin with a wide white ribbon, mauve mantle and handkerchief in
Est: £1,500 - £2,500
A Lady, seated in a red upholstered chair, wearing grey dress with gold belt buckle, elaborate white lace veil about her head and tied beneath her chin with a wide white ribbon, mauve mantle and handkerchief in her left hand. Signed on the reverse and dated Liverpool 1847/ Painted by Miss Biffin/ Artist without hands, gilt-metal frame with ormolu slip. Rectangular, 154mm (6 1/16in) high Provenance: Christie's, 6 July 1975, lot 47 Exhibited: Portrait Miniatures from the Merchiston Collection, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 23 September – 11 December 2005, no.75 Literature: Daphne Foskett, 'Rediscovering 19th Century Portrait Miniatures' Antique Dealer and Collector's Guide, May 1984 Stephen Lloyd, Exhibition Catalogue, 2005, p.81
Bonhams
Sep. 22, 2009
Miss Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) 'MISS ELLISON NEE
Est: £700 - £1,000
Miss Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) 'MISS ELLISON NEE JUNE PRIESTLY DIED AT ASHTON-U-LYNE SEPT 30 1849 AGED 56', watercolour, inscribed verso, with sitter's name and 'Painted by Miss Biffin without hands, 1819', 7.4cm x 5.8cm Sarah Biffin was born in Quantoxhead nr. Bridgwater, without hands, arms or feet. She stood only 37 inches tall. She showed an early aptitude for art and taught herself to paint using her mouth to hold the brush. She entered into a written agreement with a Mr Dukes to tour the country, exhibited as a freak and genius. For this she was paid £5 per year and her keep. The public paid 1/- or 6d to see her and she painted miniatures at three guineas each, although she received no extra payment for this. After her tuition she received patronage from George III, George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1824 she married a Mr Wright, who deserted her taking what money she had. By 1846 she was in failing health and very reduced circumstances. A number of notable figures, including the Queen Dowager and the Duchess of Kent, raised a subscription for her, allowing her to live in reasonable comfort. She died in Liverpool on 2nd October, 1850
Sworders
May. 20, 2009
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, seated in a crimson upholstered chair, wearing white dress with lace collar, pendent pearls at her shoulder, rose at her corsage, pearl bracelet and gauze veil in her dark hair, worn in ringlets and
Est: £1,000 - £1,500
A Lady, seated in a crimson upholstered chair, wearing white dress with lace collar, pendent pearls at her shoulder, rose at her corsage, pearl bracelet and gauze veil in her dark hair, worn in ringlets and plaited bun, she rests her right elbow on a musical manuscript, green curtain and open window background. Signed on the reverse and dated Painted by Miss Biffin/ Miniature Painter,/ Born without hands/ Liverpool 1848, black wood frame with gilded borders. Rectangular, 110mm (4 5/16in) high
Bonhams
Nov. 19, 2008
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) Victoria (1819-1901), Queen of Great Britain (1837-1901), wearing white dress with lace trim and large cuffs, blue sash of the Order of the Garter, black lace shawl, diamond diadem, matching pendent earrings and
Est: £800 - £1,200
Victoria (1819-1901), Queen of Great Britain (1837-1901), wearing white dress with lace trim and large cuffs, blue sash of the Order of the Garter, black lace shawl, diamond diadem, matching pendent earrings and white gloves, she holds in her hand a handkerchief and posy of flowers, an open book, closed fan and ermine robe on the front of the Royal Box, an upholstered chair bearing initials VR behind. Watercolour on paper, laid down on card on which inscribed and dated Drawn and written by Miss Biffin without hands 1848, framed. Rectangular, 326mm (12 13/16in) high
Bonhams
Sep. 20, 2008
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, wearing crimson dress with gold ribbon waistband and white lace collar, lace-trimmed white shawl, ruff, turban dressed with pearls, drop pearl earring and jewelled pendant
Est: £200 - £300
A Lady, wearing crimson dress with gold ribbon waistband and white lace collar, lace-trimmed white shawl, ruff, turban dressed with pearls, drop pearl earring and jewelled pendant. Papier-mâché frame, labelled on reverse with sitter's name and dated 1833. Rectangular, 87mm (3 7/16in) high
Bonhams
Oct. 25, 2007
Sarah Wright Biffin (1784-1850) Portraits of Miss Geraldine Steinforth and Anne Francis Foothead
Est: £400 - £600
Sarah Wright Biffin (1784-1850) two watercolours Portraits of Miss Geraldine Steinforth and Anne Francis Foothead both signed and inscribed
Gorringes
Jun. 14, 2007
Sarah Biffen (1784-1850) Portraits of Anne Frances Foothead & Miss Mary Steinforth 9 x 7in.
Est: £300 - £500
Sarah Biffen (1784-1850) pair of watercolours Portraits of Anne Frances Foothead & Miss Mary Steinforth signed and dated 1841/1848 9 x 7in.
Gorringes
Jun. 28, 2005
Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)
Est: -
A young Girl, standing, wearing white dress and pantaloons, black shoes and a coral necklace, a basket of flowers in her hand, her bonnet on the ground, she points to a stream, mountainous landscape beyond signed in pencil on reverse, Biffin, veneered wood frame Rectangular, 130mm. (5 1/8ins.) high
Bonhams
Feb. 03, 2004
Mrs. Wright (née Sarah Biffin) (British, 1784-1850)
Est: €300 - €500
A Lady, wearing white dress adorned with gold and green stone trim, matching earring and tiara watercolour on paper, signed on obverse by Mrs. Wright without arms, gilded composition frame Oval, 182mm. (7 1/4ins.) high
Bonhams

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Biffin (Sarah, 1784-1850). Miniature portrait of Mrs Parry, by Miss Biffin Without Hands, 1822

Sarah W. Biffin (1784 - 1850), half-length oval portrait of a lady with flowers in her hair and wearing a large gold necklace, unsigned, watercolour, sealed in the frame but believed to be labelled verso 'Original Works of Miss S. Biffin. Born...

Portrait of a young lady 'La Soeur de Didon'

Self-portrait

BEFFIN, Sarah (1784 – 1850). Three Portraits of Armless Art...

Sarah Biffin (1784-1850)

Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)

SELF PAINTED PORTRAIT BY SARAH BIFFIN

SARAH WRIGHT BIFFIN (ENGLISH, 1784-1850) ORNITHOLOGICAL PAINTING

Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of Miss Ada Lovelace, three-quarter length signed lower centre "by Sarah Biffen without ....

Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850) Portrait of a dark haired gentleman, pointing to the right signed and dated lower left "S Biffin 1...

Sarah Biffen (British, 1784-1850), PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN, 1815-1819, sight 15.5" x 13" - 39.4 x 33 cm.

Attributed to Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)

Mrs. Wright (a.k.a. Sarah Biffin) (British,

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, wearing dress with lace trim, gold, ruby, emerald and pearl jewels at her waist, corsage and sleeves, a bracelet on her left wrist, rings on the middle fingers of both hands, she holds a closed fan in

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, seated in a red upholstered chair, wearing grey dress with gold belt buckle, elaborate white lace veil about her head and tied beneath her chin with a wide white ribbon, mauve mantle and handkerchief in

Miss Sarah Biffin (1784-1850) 'MISS ELLISON NEE

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, seated in a crimson upholstered chair, wearing white dress with lace collar, pendent pearls at her shoulder, rose at her corsage, pearl bracelet and gauze veil in her dark hair, worn in ringlets and

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) Victoria (1819-1901), Queen of Great Britain (1837-1901), wearing white dress with lace trim and large cuffs, blue sash of the Order of the Garter, black lace shawl, diamond diadem, matching pendent earrings and

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850) A Lady, wearing crimson dress with gold ribbon waistband and white lace collar, lace-trimmed white shawl, ruff, turban dressed with pearls, drop pearl earring and jewelled pendant

Sarah Wright Biffin (1784-1850) Portraits of Miss Geraldine Steinforth and Anne Francis Foothead

Sarah Biffen (1784-1850) Portraits of Anne Frances Foothead & Miss Mary Steinforth 9 x 7in.

Miss Sarah Biffin (British, 1784-1850)

Mrs. Wright (née Sarah Biffin) (British, 1784-1850)

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