A FINE ENGLISH GOLD TESTIMONIAL RING

A FINE ENGLISH GOLD TESTIMONIAL RING, DATED 1782 with engraved oval gold shield and arms in bright cut bezel, the back engraved The House Carpenter's Comp Newcastle to Sir Mattw White Ridley, Bart Aug 1782 Thos Blenkinsop John Green Stewards, size LPresented by the Incorporated Company of House Carpenters of Newcastle Upon Tyne to Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bt. Sir Matthew White Ridley (1745-1813) inherited Blagdon Hall, its estate and the baronetcy of Blagdon on the death of his uncle in 1763. The son of Matthew Ridley (1716-1778) and Elizabeth White (1721-1764), he was appointed Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers, Chief Magistrate of Newcastle and was Mayor in 1774, 1782 (the date of the present lot) and 1791. He was MP for Morpeth (1768-74) and Newcastle (1774-1812). He married in 1777 Sarah Colborne, the daughter of Benjamin Colborne of Bath.