Two designs on one pl. , divided by the title, above:
'st james's'
four ladies, fashionably dressed, sit round a table dividing the profits of 'the faro bank'. On the table are heaps of guineas with cheques or banknotes, a sword, a ribbon and star, a paper: 'bond 200. Half pay. Faro'. The two central figures seated behind the table are lady archer (with an angry expression) and lady buckinghamshire facing each other in profile, their breasts much exposed. On the extreme left sits a young and good-looking woman, her chin concealed by a swathing round the neck; she watches the dispute warily, her arms folded. Facing her (right) an older woman reads through a glass a paper inscribed 'hond sir please to pay lady bilkem one thousand pound for your dutiful son dupe'. These two are probably mrs. Concannon (see bmsat 8879) and mrs. Sturt, the other two fashionable and notorious holders of faro-banks. Lighted candle-sconces decorate the wall. The near edge of the table forms the lower edge of the design. See bmsat 8876, &c. 'st giles's'
four prostitutes in a ramshackle room are grouped, much as the four above, round a table on which their night's plunder is spread: seals, watches, &c. They are younger, handsomer, and have pleasanter expressions than the women of fashion; their breasts are similarly exposed, though their dress is ragged. Cf. Bmsat 8198, &c. 20 may 1796. Hand-coloured etching. Date: 1796. Dimensions: Height: 390 mm; Width: 271 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Lady Sarah Archer. Collection: British Museum. Dividing the spoil!! St James's. St Giles's (BM 1868,0808.6533)
Loading...
