Portrait miniature of John Sheares by John Comerford (1773-1832) UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR A HAMMER PRICE OF 620
The inscription on the back: “John Sheares” Executed for the cause of his country in 1798. Painted by John Comerford Dublin
A portrait miniature of Cork patriot John Sheares (1756-1798) comes up at Adams Sunday Interiors sale in Dublin on May 11. He and his brother Henry (1753-1798) – lawyers and members of the United Irishmen – were hanged, drawn and quartered at the height of the 1798 Rebellion. They had become politicised by the French Revolution.
The 8.5 cm high miniature on ivory is attributed to the Kilkenny born Dublin based artist John Comerford (1773-1832). An inscription on the back reads: John Sheares, executed for the cause of his country in 1798.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 5, 2014)