Intriguing portrait miniature of Hanoverian entymologist Johann Dietrich Herschel (1755-1827). He wears a maroon jacket and white stock ,wig en queue with tied pigtail. Signed Peter Lily monogram and dated 1792. 6cms by 4.5cms.
Gilt metal original pendant frame hand scratched to reverse 'Dr.Herschel'.
The Herschels were a celebrated family of science. Johann's brother was Sir William Herschel (1738-1822), discoverer of the planet Uranus and stellar astronomy pioneer, his sister the noted astronomer Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750-1848).His nephew was Sir John F. W. Herschel (1792-1871), the English mathematician, astronomer, chemist, and experimental photographer/inventor.