The “Pope” of Holland House
John Whishaw to Thomas Smith, 29 July 1816
July 29, 1816.
Rundell and Bridge, finding no purchasers for the Pigot diamond in Christendom,
have sent to offer it to the Pacha of Egypt,
the conqueror of the Wahabees, who is making a great collection of jewels. If he
declines the purchase it will be offered to Ali Pacha,
Dr. Holland’s friend, who is also
a great collector and extremely rich.
John Bridge (1755-1834)
With his partner Philip Rundell he was jeweller to the royal family.
Sir Henry Holland, first baronet (1788-1873)
English physician and frequenter of Holland House, the author of
Travels in the Ionian Isles, Albania, Thessaly, Macedonia etc. during 1812 and
1813 (1814) and
Recollections of Past Life (1872). His
second wife, Saba, was the daughter of Sydney Smith.
Mohammed Ali Pasha (1769-1849)
The Pasha of Egypt from 1805; he defended the Turkish rule in Greece until his defeat of
his navy at the battle of Navarino.
Philip Rundell (1746-1827)
With his partner John Bridge he was jeweller to the royal family.
