Narcisse Othon (French, fl. 1838-1847) Portrait miniature of Robert Ward, Midshipman signed left of the sitter 'Othon 1835' pencil on paper, oval, 12.3 x 9.5cm, in a veneered frame with ormolu surround, anchor motif and eagle cresting, 28cm high overall Footnote: Inscribed to a shield shape label to the reverse "Robert Ward, Eldest Son of Robert Ward Esq. Mortally wounded at the Siege of the Fort of Mocha whilst serving as a Midshipman on board the Topaz Frigate Dec. 7th 1820. From a sketch by Othon Paris 1835." HMS Topaze was originally 'Etoile', a 44 gun French frigate, until captured by the British in 1814, and renamed by the Royal Navy. Topaze saw action in December 1820 at Mocha, Yemen.