The Sibthorp family are one of the best known names in the history of Lincolnshire and members of the family represented the county in Parliament from 1733-1861. Indeed Charles Sibthorp, the sitter of this portrait, was MP for Lincoln from 1826-1855.
Charles, known as Sibby by his fellow MPs, was an eccentric character. His far right political views saw him frequently attacked in Punch, he famously insulted Queen Victoria, was fiercely xenophobic and campaigned against the Great Exhibition of 1851. He is also known to have fought a duel on August 24, 1824 with a Dr Edward Charlesworth.
The duel, which took place after Dr Charlesworth made an offensive remark to Sitbthorp at a turnpike meeting, came to nothing as both men missed their targets.
Sibthorp was such a notorious figure in the 19th century that even the National Gallery have caricatures of him in their collection, but they do not, as yet, have a miniature on ivory.
The miniature was painted by Charles Jagger of Bath and depicts Sibthorp in his uniform as a Captain of the 4th Dragoon Guards.
It is thought to have been commissioned by Sibthorp himself as a wedding present to his wife Maria. They married on February 21, 1811.
Simmering Sibby
This previously undiscovered miniature on ivory of Lincolnshire dignitary Charles De Laet Waldo-Sibthorp is expected to take up to £2000 when it is offered for sale on April 24 at the Lincoln rooms of Thomas Mawer & Sons.
