Miniature watercolor portrait of Tennessee judge, planter, and politician Lunsford Meredith Bramlett (1785-1858), depicted at about age 35, wearing a dark coat and white shirt, with dark hair. Possible signature H— lower right. Housed under glass in an oval rose gold frame with rope twist edge, having interwoven lock of hair under glass on reverse side of frame. Frame: 2 3/4" H x 2 1/4" W. Note: North Carolina-born Lunsford Bramlett was licensed to practice law in Alabama in 1818 but had moved to Giles County, Tennessee by 1820, where census records show him living with his first wife, at least one daughter, and eleven slaves. His second wife was Mary Crockett, daughter of Dr. Samuel Crockett and Frances Bland Dudley. Mary was the granddaughter of Guilford and Anne Eaton Dudley. Bramlett served as an attorney and Judge in Giles County and unsuccessfully challenged James K. Polk for Congress in 1827. Note: lot 644 in this auction includes several documents pertaining to Lunsford Meredith Bramlett, including a dinner invitation to the Polk White House.

PROVENANCE: Property of the Lincoln County Museum, Fayetteville, TN; Bequest of Mary Bright Wilson (1909-2004), formerly of Fayetteville, and descended in her family.

CONDITION: Excellent condition. Frame has some oxidation; loop hanger possibly replaced. The oval halo that appears in our photographs is a reflection caused by the convex glass, not a condition problem.��