An impressive George III silver circular salver by Paul Storr, London 11th October 1804-28th May 1805, the border cast in relief with female heads, half eagles, vacant asymmetric shields, lionesses and lion cubs all divided by fruiting vines and bordered by scrolls, leaves and shells, the centre engraved with a shield and crest within a band of the National Flowers, on four bold shell and lion head bracket feet, 53cm (20 3/4in) diameter, 3694g (118.75 oz) The arms of John RIDLEY (1781-1842) of Northumberland. The blazon: gules, on a chevron between three falcons close argent as many pellets (RIDLEY) - impaling - quarterly 1,4: argent, a lion passant gules, on a chief of the 2nd three acorns leaved and slipped or (JOHNSON). 2,3: or, a chevron gules between three martlets sable (MOORE); crest: a bull passant gules, the tail turned over the back (RIDLEY) John Ridley (1781-1842) was born in Northumberland the son of John Ridley (1754-1839) who was born at Hexham, Northumberland, by Mary MUSGRAVE (1754-1842). He married, in 1804, Elizabeth JOHNSON (1781-1842) and it is likely to be this event that the salver was commissioned for. This particular branch of the Ridley family shares the arms of Baron Wensleydale (created 1756) and the later Viscounts Ridley (created 1900) and it is this noble branch of the Ridley family that I would suspect are the benefactors of the salver. The family John and Elizabeth are otherwise poorly documented and we note that there is lack of any noble augmentations as part of the engraving.