Tho[ma]s Gilbert Ob 25 July 1776 AE 70
https://grokipedia.com/page/thomas_gilbert_architect
Just as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined, a proverbial early 18th century saying meaning that early influences have a permanent effect. There is a related comment of the mid 16th century, ‘a man may bend a wand while it is green and make it straight though it be never so crooked,’ but the current form comes originally from Alexander Pope's Epistles to Several Persons (1732): ‘'Tis education forms the common mind, Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined.’
MATERIALS: 18k gold, rock crystal, sepia miniature on velum or ivory
AGE: dated 1776
CONDITION: Very good - minor losses to the enamel
SIZE: 9, cannot be resized; 3/4" x 5/8" head, 1/16" shank