Lot 91: Daniel Albert Wehrschmidt (1861-1932)

Portrait of Rosa Lewis, seated three-quarter-length, in a white dress with a blue sash
signed and dated 'D. A. Wehrschmidt 1914?' (upper right)
oil on canvas
50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.5 cm.)

Rosa Lewis (1867-1952), the 'Duchess of Duke Street' was a former kitchen maid from Essex. She worked her way up to become the head of the Duke of Orlean's kitchen, also cooking for a number of private clients, including Edward VII. By 1902 she had amassed a fortune and bought the old Cavendish Hotel, Jermyn Street, London, which she ran until it was bombed during the blitz.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
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