9ct gold, enamel and seed pearl mourning brooch, centring a foliate pearl motif within a surround of black enamel, within a scrolled border, glazed panel to reverse containing hair work, reverse inscribed 'Ralph a. Thicknefse August 22ND 1854 aged 54', measuring 42 x 35 mm. Ralph Anthony Thicknesse was born in 1800. He was elected Whig MP for Wigan at the 1847 general election. Thicknesse held his held the seat until his death on the 22nd of August 1854.