A rare early 19th century court
wig which belonged to a former army general who fought under Wellington has
been discovered.
Despite its age, the wig,
unearthed in the Midlands, still has its original carrying case bearing the
initials of its owner – G H Anson Esq.
Valuers at Hansons Auctioneers in
Derbyshire, who found the wig, say it belonged to Sir George Anson, a former
general and Whig politician who moved in royal circles.
‘Old Sir George Anson’, as he was
called by Queen Victoria, was said to be delighted to be appointed a groom of
the bedchamber to Prince Albert in 1840.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons
and the man who made the find, said: “The wig belonged to the late Sir George
Anson, of Rushall Hall, Staffordshire, who lived from 1769-1849.
“We found the wig when we were
collating our January sale and unpacking boxes from various clients. A black,
oval, gilded box, inscribed G H Anson Esq, was spotted and within it was the
judge’s wig with the name on the inside.
“History tells us that Sir George
Anson was a British officer and politician from the Anson family. He commanded
a British cavalry brigade under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular
War.
“Aside from his military career,
he sat as Whig Member of Parliament for Lichfield from 1806 to 1841 and was
also the Groom of the Bedchamber to Prince Albert from 1836 to September 1841.”
The barrister’s wig is made of
horsehair, dates to circa 1800 and has an estimate of £150 to £250.
“The wig has survived remarkably
well,” said Mr Hanson. “Provenance is what makes objects valuable and this wig has
tremendous Staffordshire heritage.
“Thanks to Sir George and his
descendants, the Anson name is held in high regard in Lichfield and beyond. Hereditary
titles held by the Anson family include the earldom of Lichfield and there is
an Anson law firm which has offices in Lichfield and other parts of the
Midlands.”
The wig will be sold in Hansons Spring
Fine Art Auction on March 26. Entries invited until March 2. Hansons holds free
antiques and collectables valuation days every Monday at The Hedgehog Inn,
Stafford Road, Lichfield, from 10.30am-12.30pm. Valuation events are also held in Tamworth and
Leek. To find out about upcoming valuation days, visit www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.
