Anne Furnese (1711-1747), first wife of 2nd Viscount St John, in coronation robes

Anne Furnese (1711-1747) was the daughter of the fabulously wealthy Sir Robert Furnese and his first wife, Anne Balam. Anne married John (known as Jack) St John at St George’s, Hanover Square on April 17, 1729 and the couple had six children, two of whom died young.

Anne’s father Sir Robert died in 1733 and it was her vast inheritance that enabled her husband to remodel the old-fashioned Lydiard manor house and landscape the parkland.

The work was pretty much finished by 1743 but sadly Anne did not live long to enjoy the beautiful Palladian mansion. She died in July 1747 and was buried in the St John family vault beneath St. Mary’s Church.

There are two portraits of Anne in Lydiard House. This one, by Isaac Wood, hangs in the Drawing Room.

In both portraits Anne wears her coronation robes. These comprise a crimson velvet mantle with a train no longer than one and a quarter yards and a miniver (white fur) edging no more than 2 inches in width as prescribed for a Viscountess. This is worn with a sleeved crimson velvet kirtle (gown) edged in miniver worn over a cream or white court dress. Anne’s dress is lavishly patterned with a gold design; two large golden tassels hang from the waist. On a table beside her in both portraits rest her gloves, and her Viscountess coronet decorated with 16 silver balls.

Medium - oil on canvas

Measurements - 123 x W 100 cm

Purchased in 1965 from Vernon St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke