Tankard c. 18th century

This pewter tankard, crafted by an anonymous hand, presents a fascinating tableau of symbols. We see a lion rampant, shield, and wheat shafts, motifs steeped in history and meaning. The lion, a symbol of courage and nobility, has been a recurrent figure in heraldry and mythology across millennia. Think of the Lion Gate of Mycenae, or the Lion of Saint Mark in Venice. Here, the lion's presence evokes a sense of strength. The wheat shafts, emblems of agriculture and bounty, stand alongside the lion, perhaps alluding to prosperity and the fruits of labor, a common combination in emblems of civic pride. Consider how such symbols persist and transform. The lion, once a symbol of raw power, evolves to embody justice, and later finds new life in commercial logos. These symbols are vessels of collective memory. They tap into our subconscious, reminding us of humanity’s shared past. Through this tankard, these symbols are preserved in our collective consciousness.