Knoxville (865) 558-3033 • Nashville (615) 812-6096 • info@caseantiques.com

Case Auctions
Live Auction

2025 Winter Fine Art & Antiques (Day 1)

Sat, Jan 25, 2025 09:00AM EST
  2025-01-25 09:00:00 2025-01-25 09:00:00 America/New_York Case Antiques Case Antiques : 2025 Winter Fine Art & Antiques (Day 1) https://auction.caseantiques.com/auctions/case-antiques/2025-winter-fine-art-antiques-day-1-16081
Live Auction at our Knoxville Gallery featuring 1,200+ lots from fine Southern estates and private and museum collections. Sale begins Sat. Jan. 25 at 9 AM with lots #1-783 and continues Sun. Jan. 26 at 1 PM with lots #784-1261 (separate catalog). Estates represented include Gertrude S. Caldwell, Nashville; John Z. C. Thomas, Knoxville; Dr. Larry Wolfe, Nashville; Norman Luboff; plus the collection of Jon E. Jones, Cookeville, and deaccessioned art from the Hunter Museum, Vanderbilt University Museum, the Memphis-Brooks Museum, and more.
Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
Lot 114

Miniature Portrait of King George V attrib. Downey c. 1910

Estimate: $1,400 - $1,600
Starting Bid
$700

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

Attrib. William Downey (English, 1829-1915) watercolor portrait miniature of King George V of England, depicted bust length, in military regalia, circa 1910. Matted and housed under glass in an oval gilt silver frame hallmarked for London, 1907-1908, maker's mark worn. Sight: 2 3/8"H x 2"W (62 x 51 mm). Frame: 2 3/4"H x 2 3/8"W (70 x 60 mm). Note: King George V (1865-1936) succeeded his father, Edward VII, to the British throne in 1910, possibly the same year this portrait was painted. He was born during the reign of his grandmother, Queen Victoria. George V was succeeded upon his death in 1936 by his son Edward VIII, who abdicated. 

Artist Biography: William Downey was known as "the Queen's Photographer" for his longtime professional relationship with Queen Victoria, her family and friends. In addition to photography, he was known to have produced a limited number of miniature watercolor portraits for members of the English royal family. William Downey operated a studio along with his brother Daniel from about 1855 until Daniel's death in 1881. By 1910, William's sons William Edward and Arthur J.H. Downey, had joined the family business, and Arthur is also known to have painted royal portraits. Goldsmith Louis Charles Wilmott worked extensively for the Royal Family, notably on the picture frames for the Royal Collection Trust.

Condition

Portrait is in overall very good condition with possible 1/8" area of clouding or rubbing lower right quadrant near edge (may be dust). Not examined out of frame. Significant dust accumulation is visible to edges. Small trapped piece of debris under glass, upper right edge. Frame exhibits wear to gilding. 

 

Shipping Info

The UPS Store of Bearden 865-584-0081 (press 5), fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com Click to get a quote

The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com

John & Max Express LLC NOTE: large items & white glove delivery services only (driving range limitations may apply) Contact – Dina 865-230-1568 johnmaxexpress@gmail.com

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

Payment must be received no later than five (5) days after the sale.


If paying with a credit card, a 3.5% credit card processing fee will be applied to the final sales price (i.e. hammer price + buyer's premium + applicable taxes). If you have a credit card on file with Case, any winning bids will be automatically charged (up to $3000) along with applicable fees 72 hours after you receive your invoice unless other arrangements have been made.


If paying with wire transfer, please use the following information:
Bank: Pinnacle Bank
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone # (865) 766-3000
Swift Code: PNFPUS44
Routing, Transit, ABA: 064008637
Beneficiary: Case Antiques, Inc.
4310 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Account #: NOT DISCLOSED (please refer to your invoice email for the Deposit Account Number or contact us )

The estate of Warren Thompson, Nashville, Tennessee, purchased from antique dealers Paul Stamas and Dan Wilson of Norfolk, VA circa 1980 along with two other miniature portraits of the Royal Family, also in this auction.