Lot Essay
The arms are those of Clarendon quartering Hyde with the Royal arms of Prussia in pretence, for Thomas, 2nd Earl of Clarendon of the second creation (1753-1824), son of Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1709-1786) and Charlotte (d. 1790), daughter of 3rd Earl of Essex. The 1st Earl was a distinguished politician, serving as envoy to Poland, Saxony, Vienna and Berlin in the 1740s. His son, the 2nd Earl, served as M.P. for Christchurch, 1774-1780, and Helston, 1780-1786.
The arms on the reverse are those of Forbes with a crescent of difference for Maria Eleanor (d. 1844), daughter and co-heir of Admiral John Forbes (d. 1796). In 1791, she married John Charles Villiers, 3rd Earl of Clarendon (1757-1838), brother of Thomas, the 2nd Earl.
The arms on the reverse are those of Forbes with a crescent of difference for Maria Eleanor (d. 1844), daughter and co-heir of Admiral John Forbes (d. 1796). In 1791, she married John Charles Villiers, 3rd Earl of Clarendon (1757-1838), brother of Thomas, the 2nd Earl.