Lot 49: Portrait of Francis, 2nd Lord Guilford (1673-1729), three-quarter-length, in a blue velvet coat with jewelled fastenings, and an ochre wrap, before a column

Attributed to John Closterman and Studio (Osnabrück 1660-1711 London)
Portrait of Francis, 2nd Lord Guilford (1673-1729), three-quarter-length, in a blue velvet coat with jewelled fastenings, and an ochre wrap, before a column
with identifying inscription 'FRANCIS LORD GUILFORD SON OF FRANCIS LORD GUILFORD LD. KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL OF ENGLAND IN THE REIGN OF KING CHARLES THE SECOND.' (upper left)
oil on canvas
50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.7 cm.)
in a carved and gilded panel frame

The Earls of Guilford, and by descent to the present owner.

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY OF TITLE (LOTS 46-68)

The present portrait shows Francis Lord Guilford when Lord Keeper to Charles II. The Great Seal of the United Kingdom, formerly the Great Seal of England, is a seal used to symbolise the monarch's approval of official state documents. The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was originally an officer of the English Crown charged with physical custody of the Seal, and later one of the Great Officers of State. The position developed into a permanent appointment and the Lord Keeper, who was generally a peer, acquired the right of discharging all duties related to the Great Seal.