John Bridges (19th century), Portrait of Mrs Richard James Spiers and her eldest son, Richard Phe

John Bridges (19th century), Portrait of Mrs Richard James Spiers and her eldest son, Richard Phene-Spiers holding a silver and coral rattle, full-length, seated in an interior, a hound at their feet and a view through a window beyond, signed and dated 1836 bottom right, inscribed on a label attached to the reverse, oil on panel, 59 x 49.5cm. ** Historical Note: The circular stool to the left of the figure in lot 517, and also depicted in lot 518, is the same stool offered in this sale, lot 688. This is a charming insight into the production of these family portraits by Bridges who, over a nearly decade, 1836-1845, was obviously a favoured artist of the Spiers family. The stool, which dates from the period, is ornate and decorative and was clearly an admired possession within the household