Live Auction 5867Old Master, Decorative, Modern and Contemporary Prints
Christie’s roundel
Lot 170

John Faber II (1695-1756), After Sir Godfrey Kneller

Portraits of the Kit Kat Club

Closed16 September 2009

Price Realised

GBP 875

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John Faber II (1695-1756), After Sir Godfrey Kneller
Portraits of the Kit Kat Club
forty seven mezzotints on laid paper, with margins, published by J.Tonson and J.Faber, London, 1735, with engraved dedication plate to the Duke of Somerset and mezzotint title page, contained within calf binding, worn a rubbed, spine missing and boards detached
S. 14¾ x 10 5/8in. (37.5 x 27cm.)

Specialist note

This early series of mezzotint portraits of the leading Whigs who formed the club were painted by Kneller to hang in the room built for the reception of its members at Jacob Tonson's house at Barn Elms. The proportions of the room necessitated the use of a smaller than usual 36 x 28 inch canvas, known since as a kit kat.