Fourth son of Henry Bone (1755 – 1834), enamel painter, William Bone was taught enamel painting by his father. He exhibited at the Royal Academy 1815 – 43 and from 1842 he styled himself Miniature Painter to the King of Hanover. There is evidence of his collaboration with his elder brothers, Henry Pierce Bone and Robert Trewick Bone, also enamellists and his work was, at least on occasion, the equal of Henry Pierce. William Bone had no children; his title 'Senior' distinguishes him from his nephew, William Bone Junior, son of Henry Pierce Bone.

The enamel is after a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence painted in 1817. The primary version was given by the Duchess to her lady-in-waiting, Anna Maria Adams née Dacres (c.1752-1830). William Bone's enamel differs from the original in omitting the jewelled filet from the Duchess's hair, indicating that it derives from the studio version in the Royal Collection (404468).

Princess Mary, fourth daughter of George III and Queen Charlotte, married, in 1816, at the age of forty, her cousin William Frederick, 2nd Duke of Gloucester. They had no children. She outlived all her siblings and was mourned by Queen Victoria on her death as 'the last link, which connected us with a bygone generation … She had become like a grandmother to us all, from her age, and from her being the last of her family'.


Signed, dated and inscribed on the counter-enamel in red paint: Her Royal Highness / the / Duchess of Gloucester / London 1844 / Painted in Enamel by / Will m Bone. Enamel / painter to his Majesty / the King of Hanover / after the original by / Sir Thom Lawrence / P.R.A.