Pair of portrait miniatures of notable gentlemen, Scotland late 17th century

A pair of framed portrait miniatures of notable Scottish gentlemen.

Scottish, late 17th century.

The portrait miniatures measure 7x 5cm each (excluding frames).

The reverse of the frames are set with little plaques bearing the inscriptions:

‘COUNCILLOR FLETCHER, GREAT GRANDFATHER OF MRS WEBB, MY GRANDMOTHER. J.S.H. 1849’ and ‘COUNCILLOR FLETCHER, GRANDFATHER OF MRS WEBB, MY GRANDMOTHER. J.S.H. 1849’.

The sitters have been identified as Sir Robert Fletcher (1625–1664) and his son Andrew Fletcher (1655-1716).

The pair of miniatures are presented glazed, in pine frames with gilt surrounds.

Sir Robert Fletcher (1625–1664) was a Scottish landowner, soldier, and politician. He was a member of the Fletcher family of Saltoun, a prominent lineage in East Lothian, Scotland.

He served as a Parliamentary officer during the English Civil War and later became involved in Scottish politics. Fletcher was known for his loyalty to the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, which led to tensions following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun (1655 – September 1716) was a Scottish writer and politician, best known for his staunch opposition to the incorporation of Scotland and his resistance to the 1707 Act of Union between Scotland and England.

In 1683, Fletcher was accused of promoting insurrection and went into exile. He later became cavalry commander in the Monmouth Rebellion, but shortly after arriving in England, he killed a fellow leader, forcing him to flee once more—this time as a fugitive, with his estates confiscated.

Fletcher eventually returned to Scotland with William of Orange and was appointed Commissioner of the old Parliament of Scotland, playing a key role in its final years before the Union.