This group of twelve adults and an infant boy has been identified in the past as the 1st earl tylney (d. 1750) with his family and friends. However, the room shown cannot be identified with any part of wanstead house, tylney’s home. Whatever their identity, the family nollekens depicted is clearly very wealthy. Gathered around a tea-table, the people are surrounded by signs of their affluence and status. Their grand house is decorated in the latest style, with lavish use of stucco and gilt. The tea they sip would have been more expensive than gold, while the exquisite china service tells its own story. A history-painting hanging over the fireplace offers further evidence of their wealth, as such works were the most expensive to buy; it also comments on the family’s refinement and knowledge of artistic culture. Object Type: painting. Date: 1740. Dimensions: height: 86.3 cm (33.9 in); width: 109.2 cm (42.9 in). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Fairfax House. OldNollekensWanstead
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