This ring memorializes Mary Parker, née Lane, Countess of Macclesfield (1700–1753). The National Portrait Gallery has a portrait of her. Mary was the daughter of Ralph Lane, a wealthy “Turkey merchant” — meaning a merchant involved in the Levant trade, not literally a turkey seller — and she married George Parker in 1722. Her husband was a pretty consequential Georgian figure: an astronomer, politician, and later president of the Royal Society, closely involved with British astronomy and the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. They lived at Shirburn Castle in Oxfordshire. Living to 53 in the 18th century wasn't too bad of a run, and after her death her family commissioned these high-carat gold rings to distribute among relatives and friends. It's a typical - but extra-nice - Rococo ribbon-shaped mourning band from the era.
MATERIALS: 18k gold (tests), enamel
AGE: Dated 4 June 1753
CONDITION: Excellent
SIZE: 6.5, cannot be resized; 3.5mm shank