Isabella Whichcote as a young girl, by Sir William Charles Ross, R.A. (1794-1860), circa 1850..

Oval, on ivory, in a silver-gilt frame, with hair on the reverse, 7.8cm.
Isabella Whichcote (1857-1917) was the only child of Sir Thomas Whichcote, 7th Bt. of Aswarby Park in Lincolnshire. In 1875 she married Brownlow, Lord Burghley (1849-1898), who inherited as 4th Marquess of Exeter on the death of his father in 1895.
The artist, who was of Scottish descent, particularly favoured history painting, but ultimately concentrated on the more lucrative portrait and miniature painting, at which he excelled. He received commissions from members of the Royal Family, as well as from several Continental Royal Houses.