Lot 1: George Perfect Harding (British, circa 1780-1853), after Hans Holbein the Younger (German, circa 1497-1543) Henry VIII (1491-1547), King of England (1509-1547), wearing brown doublet slashed to reveal white, embroidered with gold and bearing gold and

Henry VIII (1491-1547), King of England (1509-1547), wearing brown doublet slashed to reveal white, embroidered with gold and bearing gold and onyx buttons, small white collar, fur waistcoat, jewel-set gilt-metal collar, black hat studded with matching jewels and carrying a large white plume.
Watercolour on card heightened with gold, gilt-metal frame with pierced spiral cresting, the reverse engraved Henry VIII.
Oval, 46mm (1 13/16in) high
Provenance: Sotheby's, 9 November 1944, lot 40, sold to S.H.R. Harris for £12

As the second monarch of the House of Tudor, Henry VIII's obsession with providing England with a male heir, stemmed partly from personal vanity and partly from his belief that a daughter would be unable to consolidate the Tudor Dynasty and the fragile peace that existed after the Wars of the Roses.

Notorious for marrying six times and ruling with absolute power, Henry VIII is also remembered for his ongoing struggle with Rome, which led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority; the Dissolution of the Monasteries; as well as for establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England while remaining a life-long believer in Catholic theological teachings. Henry had been an attractive and charismatic man in his prime, educated and highly accomplished at many things. In later life he became morbidly obese, a result of relentless over-indulgence and his health suffered greatly. His public image is largely remembered as one of a lustful, egotistical, harsh, and insecure king.