Manx National Heritage adds to national collection

Fri, 10 Nov 2023

Manx National Heritage has secured an important new acquisition for the national collections.

A suite of four miniature portraits depicting members of the Quayle family of Castletown, each painted on ivory and encased in a gold frame, have returned to the Isle of Man to be held in the Manx National Art Collection. 

The Quayle family played a key role in the administration and economy of the Isle of Man during a time of constitutional change, following the Act of Revestment. Four generations held the office of Clerk of the Rolls at Castle Rushen. The family were heavily involved in high politics as well as the military, economic and social life of the Island.

Amongst the four portraits is an image of Captain George Quayle. He was a member of the House of Keys and prominent banker and owner of the Peggy, the world’s oldest yacht and one of the most important surviving historic vessels globally.

The other miniatures depict George’s maternal grandfather Sir George Moore, Speaker of the House of Keys and noted Peel merchant, George’s father John Quayle, and his paternal grandfather, John Quayle for whom no other image is known.

This important acquisition of the four miniatures, secured at an auction in the South West of England, was made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of Manx National Heritage.

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