Charles Francois Dumergue (1739-1814), born in Angoulême, France, was one of the most notable dentists of the Georgian era. He was brought up with a decent education and trained in dentistry with the surgeon officers of the Duke of Orleans. He married the niece of the artist Francois Boucher, a renowned painter, etcher, and draftsman who was a painter for the French royal family. They were married in a church near the Palais de Louvre, but found they could not earn enough money to live a comfortable life so soon after emigrated to England. They had a daughter, Sophia, who was born in France in 1768. He set up his practice on Bond Street, with Samuel Cartwright senior, another famous dentist, as his assistant. Charles and his family later moved to 15 Piccadilly. 

Sadly, when Sophia was 10, her parents’ marriage began to break down, and they finally got divorced, leaving Charles to bring up his daughter by himself. He never remarried, but a Miss Sarah Nicolson took on the role of housekeeper and took care of the family and helped with Charles' daughter’s education.

Dumergue looked after the teeth of many high-profile clients in Georgian society, especially those in prominent literary, theatrical and artistic circles. One of the most notable clients of his was the royal family, who had him on call to look after the teeth of Queen Charlotte’s fifteen children.

Through his dentistry, he came to know many notables in society, including industrialist Matthew Boulton and artist Johann Zoffany, then later well enough to be painted by him and to be one of the executors of his estate. The portrait by Johann Zoffany of Dumergue hangs in the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. He was also godfather to the famous explorer Sir Walter Scott’s children and bought shares in the Drury Lane theatre.

Dumergue later moved to India, where he spent the rest of his days, and married Miss Isabella Fraser in 1805. Charles died in June 1818, but in 1812, he had the initiative to put together a will. In the will, he left the majority of his estate to his wife, but also left £150 to Miss Jane Nicolson!

 

A Georgian Memorial Brooch Connected to Charles François Dumergue at Auction

In our upcoming Fine Jewellery auction on Wednesday 22nd April, we have a Georgian memorial brooch associated with Charles François Dumergue, offering a rare surviving link to the life and world of the Mayfair surgeon-dentist.

Lot 125
Georgian memorial brooch for Charles Dumergue
Estimate £300 - £400

 

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