Lot 66: Thomas Day , c. 1732 - c. 1807 Portrait of a gentleman

wearing a pink lined white coat applied with a blue panel embroidered with three crowns, a pink waistcoat and a white cravat and jabot, gilt-metal mount and ormolu frame circa 1790

6.7 by 5.6 cm.; 2 5/8 by 2 1/8 in.

Anonymous sale in these Rooms, 29 November 1976, lot 79

At first glace the three crown emblem embroidered on the gown would seem to suggest a connection with Sweden, however, the crowns are unlike the more open-form normally used to represent the three kingdoms of the Swedish monarchy. This, combined with the fact that the striking pink and white attire cannot be associated with any office or dignity, suggest that what Day has depicted here is a masquerade costume.