Mary, Marchioness of Downshire: A Life in Miniature

Arthur died aged just 48, leaving Mary a heavily-pregnant widow. The couple had seven children together and Mary gave birth to their last child, George, a couple of months after her husband’s death. Her eldest son, Downshire, was only 12 years old at the time, so she became head of the family until he came of age, including looking after the family’s estates.

For this, Mary received not only respect but a great deal of affection from her children, who enjoyed a close relationship with her. Even after her son Downshire came of age, she enlisted the help of her two daughters, Charlotte and Mary who took it in turns to act as her ‘lady-in-waiting’ to help her manage the significant lands she owned in her name.

Mary thrives in Regency London

By 1813, Mary was spending most of her time at Downshire House in London, where she had become a popular society matriarch and a confidante of several royal dukes, including George, the Prince Regent (the future George IV). Fans of novelist Georgette Heyer may recognise Mary’s name, as she occasionally pops up in her books about the Regency. 

Despite Mary’s success in London, we should not assume that she did not think of the family seat in Ireland, or her children. Her eldest son, Downshire, was spending most of his time in Ireland, her second son, Arthur, was fighting in the Peninsular War and two of her younger sons, Marcus and Augustus, were living in the countryside with their tutor.  It is perhaps for this reason that Mary commissioned a bracelet to be made up of portraits of her children’s eyes.

In the eye of the beholder

In the eye of the beholder Sentimental jewellery had become somewhat of a craze in the late 18th century, allegedly sparked by the Prince Regent who sent a miniature portrait of his eye to his lover, Maria Fitzherbert.

Miniature eye portraits were set into all manner of richly bejewelled items from snuff boxes to lapel pins. Often known as ‘lover’s eyes’, they allowed the subject to remain anonymous to all but the receiver of the gift. They were also popular among family members who could gaze on the eyes of their loved ones even when they were absent.

Gone in the blink of an eye: Mary's jewels are stolen

While eye miniatures held little meaning to other people, when set in gold and jewels they  had significant monetary value. It is no surprise, therefore, that when Downshire House was burgled on 29 March 1813, this bracelet was bundled into a swag bag along with the rest of Mary’s jewellery. Although the thieves were caught soon after and much of their haul (totalling almost £2 million in today’s money) was recovered, the bracelet was never found.

The trial at the Old Bailey took its toll on Mary: after a lengthy day at court, she had to be given a composing draft by her doctor, a medicinal drink commonly used to ease anxiety.

The eyes have it: The Replacement Bracelet 

Charlotte and Mary wrote in their journal that ‘all’ the siblings resolved to surprise their mother with a replacement bracelet to cheer her after the stress of the burglary.  

Charlotte Jones, official miniature painter to Princess Charlotte of Wales, was commissioned to create a replacement for Mary’s beloved bracelet.

The family spent the rest of the day together, driving in their carriage to the King’s Road, reading letters from their brother Arthur. As a treat the younger boys were even allowed to join their elder siblings after dinner to eat dessert.  

Where are the bracelets today?

Sadly, we do not know what became of either bracelet, the stolen one or its replacement, but it is entirely possible that they are on display in a museum. Lover’s eye jewellery can be found in museum display cases across the world but due to the very anonymity of the eye, the identity of the person behind it has too often been lost. 

Emma Lawthers 
Research and Interpretation Producer
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Sources and Further Reading

Diary extracts taken from the Journal of Two Goseys (available on The Sandys Story website) by Ladies Charlotte and Mary Hill, edited by Martin Davis.

For more on eye miniatures, see Treasuring the Gaze: Intimate Vision in Late 18th Century Eye Miniatures by Hanneke Grootenboer.