An enamel mourning ring

An enamel mourning ring, circa 1761, the gold ring of scrolled design, applied with black enamel, the inscription 'Margt Counts of Hardwick Ob: 19 Sep 1761 AE:72' in reserve, size L, maker's mark MC

Margaret, Countess of Hardwick (1688/9-1761) was the daughter of William Cocks, and the widow of William Lygon. She married Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwick in 1719, who was Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain 1737-1756. They lived at Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, now in the care of the National Trust. Their family would become connected to the Greys of Wrest Park through their son, who married Jemima Campbell (1723-1797), who as granddaughter of the 1st Duke of Kent and Jemima, Duchess of Kent (commemorated in lot 1516 and 1517 in this sale), became 2nd Marchioness Grey through special dispensation upon the extinction of the Grey family's dukedom, and Countess of Hardwicke through her marriage.