It is also noteworthy that current members of the Royal Family continue to commission Miniature Portraits (The Royal Collection contains one of the largest and most comprehensive groups of Miniatures in existence).

For centuries Miniatures played an important role in Society. Being small and easily transportable, they were used much like photographs are today. A number of royal marriage negotiations only took place after cogitation of a Miniature Painting of the potential bride. Highly prized, Miniatures were also frequently presented as tokens of friendship, loyalty and love.

It was, of course, inevitable that with the arrival of daguerreotypes (a photograph taken by a photographic process employing an iodine-sensitized silvered plate and mercury vapour) during the first half of the 19th century, the art of Miniature Painting would go into decline. Nevertheless, it surprised many just how quickly and profound the fall from fashion was. This was no more evident than at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition where Miniatures were always very well represented.

However, by the late 1850s Miniatures became a rare sight at the RA Exhibition. Ironically, many Miniaturists were forced to make a living by colour-tinting black and white photographs.

Attempts were initiated to rejuvenate the genre, one of the most impressive being made by the South Kensington Museum, now the Victoria & Albert Museum. In 1863 the museum mounted a major show devoted to Miniatures and the Director wrote: ‘We trust it is not beyond hope that the exhibition of the works of so many distinguished men, and the beauty of their art, may lead to its revival.‘  While this proved not to be the case, the founding in May 1896 of The Society Of Miniature Painters and their Inaugural Exhibition (At The Gallery, 175 New Bond Street, London) the same year, certainly did.

Under the leadership of Alyn Williams (1865-1941), the Society blossomed and in May 1904 King Edward VII granted it The Royal Charter. To highlight the Society’s growing importance the President’s Jewel was commissioned in 1920. This is a large elaborate silver Chain Of Office designed and made by Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock (1881-1962), which is still worn by the current President at formal functions.