James Paysan or Payzant (1657-1757), 30 July 1700

Miniature portrait on ivory, unknown artist, 1700.

In this small, bust-length, portrait James Paysan/Payzant wears a powdered wig, a blue coat and the sash and badge of the Order of the Garter. There is a skull on a shelf behind, with the date '30 July 1700' inscribed above it. In an oval, glazed, gilt frame, with two C-shaped bar clasps at the back, probably for a ribbon or strap to form a pendant or bracelet. The miniature is housed in an oval, velvet-lined, hinged box.

James Paysan/Payzant was a Huguenot refugee who was James Larpent's grandfather and Mary Belson's maternal grandfather. He was senior clerk in the Secretary of State's Office from about 1695-1756, serving in the Northern and Southern Departments and served as a translator. 'The Gentleman's and London Magazine' of 1757 noted that James Payzant died on 23 July that year, aged 100. In his obituary notices Payzant is referred to as 'esquire'. He was not a knight, so it is not known why he was painted wearing the Order of the Garter.