The 'Daily Courant' of 06/08/1703 records that: 'On Wednesday last Mrs Goldsmith, the Famous Woman for Waxwork, brought to Westminster Abbey the Effigies of that celebrated Beauty the late Duchess of Richmond, which is said to be the richest figure that was ever set up in King Henry's Chapell.' This is now exhibited here in the Undercroft Museum of Westminster Abbey. As well as being robed as she was at the coronation of Queen Anne in 1702 she has at her side her favourite parrot, her companion for 40 years outliving her by a few days. It is said to be the oldest stuffed bird in England but the rules of this competition are obscure. This was not the first time that a very public image of the Duchess (1647-1702), known as 'la belle Stewart', had been made. She posed as the Britannia that appeared on a number of the coins of her time and after.

O/S Co-ords:3009.7945
Source(s):

Chapter House...Pyx Chamber...Undercroft

Chambers Biographical Dictionary