Scottish School, 18th century

Scottish School, 18th century
Portrait of a Highland Officer, in a feathered tam-o'-shanter
miniature on ivory
oval 4.4 x 3.4cm, in an engraved gold mount with bright-cut decoration to the reverse, tested as approximately 18ct gold with 9ct gold fittings

This is a portrait of an officer in a Highland regiment of the period c.1805-1815, before the full feather bonnet was adopted. Assuming that the colours in the present portrait are accurate, the only Highland regiment to have buff facings and silver lace was the 71st Highland Regiment (Light Infantry), later the Highland Light Infantry.

We are grateful to Christopher Joll for his assistance with this catalogue entry.