A pair of George III provincial sterling silver wine coasters, Newcastle circa 1790 by John Mitchison Each of circular form with beaded rims, the sides with pierced slats heightened with bright cut engraved decoration. Two pierced lozenges with engraved oval cartouches, one engraved to each with a crest of a lion rampant standing on the sinister hind-foot, supporting himself by a pilgrim's staff. Each with turned mahogany inset bases. Marked to each base, lacking date letter. (2) Diameter – 12.2 cm / 4.75 inches The crest is for Burdon for Rowland Burdon of Castle Eden (c.1757-1838), only son of Rowland Burdon, a merchant and banker of Newcastle and Castle Eden and educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne and University College, Oxford. He became a partner in his father's bank, the Exchange Bank in Newcastle and inherited the Castle Eden estate on the death of his father in 1786. He was elected at the 1790 general election as one of the two Members of Parliament (MPs) for County Durham, and held the seat until the 1806 general election, which he did not contest. He was also Mayor of Stockton for 1793–94. In 1803 his bank failed after being involved in speculation and he lost much of his fortune. Thence by descent.