Sir James Brydges, 8th Baron Chandos (1642-1714) Levant (Turkey) Company representative and Ambassador to Constantinople

Location

Country: Turkey
City: Ankara
Place: British Embassy

Sir James Brydges, 8th Baron Chandos came from a prominent family descended from Gloucester gentry of the later middle ages. His son James, the 9th Baron Chandos and later Marquess of Caernarvon, was a notable patron of Handel and Alexander Pope. In the 1670s, Chandos became a member of the Levant or Turkey company. Established in 1583, the Company was one of the most important overseas trading companies in England. It controlled the appointment of the British Ambassadors to the Ottoman Porte. Thanks to the support of his father in law Sir Henry Barnard, who was a prominent Turkey merchant with land in London, Herefordshire and Shropshire, Chandos was elected as Ambassador to Constantinople on 22 July 1680.  He arrived there on 22 July 1681 and his tenure lasted until November 1687. He left Turkey in 1687, during a time where the Ottoman Empire was making advances to the walls of Vienna.

People

Sir James, 8th Baron Chandos Brydges (1642 - 1714)

Places

Subjects

male portrait, seascape/coastal scene, British School C17th, moustache, man, 17th century costume, armour, wig, collar, Baron, Turkey Company Ambassador to Constantinople, sword, ship

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

British 17th century unknown

Title

Sir James Brydges, 8th Baron Chandos (1642-1714) Levant (Turkey) Company representative and Ambassador to Constantinople

Date

c.1680

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 123.00 cm, width: 97.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sotheby's, 26 February 1947

Provenance

Sold though Sotheby's, London, 'Old Master Drawings. . .' sale on 26 February 1947 (Lot 60); from which sale purchased by 'Scott' on behalf of the Ministry of Works

GAC number

292