The sitter is believed to be Captain Joseph Nias, c. 1847-1857. He is depicted wearing the 1846 dress uniform for a Commander (rank is indicated by the anchor and star devices on the epaulettes. He wears two medals: the first China War (1839-1842) medal and the Naval General Service medal with clasp for Navarino issued in 1847. On his left hand he wears two gold rings, one set with three square-cut stones that appear to be sapphires and the other with an elongated baroque pearl. It has been suggested that the portrait was painted by a Chinese artist. Nias was born in London on 2 April 1793, the third son of a ship insurance broker. He entered the Royal Navy in 1807 and finally advance to the rank of admiral on the retired list on 18 October 1867. He died in London on 17 December 1879.