Lot 129: Maria Spartali Stillman (1844-1927)

Still-life of peonies and irises in a Chinese vase
signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'MS to BM 1921' (lower right)
pencil and watercolour with gum arabic heightened with bodycolour, unframed
20 3/4 x 14 in. (52.5 x 35.5 cm.)

The inscription 'MS to BM 1921' can almost certainly be read as 'Marie Stillman to Bella Middleton'. Bella Middleton (née Stillman), the artist's sister-in-law, was married to John Henry Middleton, son of the architect John Middleton and director of both the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge and the South Kensington Museum.

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