Salver 1775 - 1776

This silver salver was crafted in London by W.C. in the late 18th century, and features a complex coat of arms. The shield, divided into quarters and crowned with a ribbon, along with a lion rampant symbolizes nobility, courage, and a proud lineage, all common to heraldic traditions across Europe. Such symbols hearken back to medieval battle flags and family seals, acting as visual shorthand for identity and power. Think of the Lion Gate of Mycenae; such totemic animal symbols recur throughout history, embodying primal strength and territorial claims. Consider how these symbols have evolved—from emblems of personal valor to tools of social stratification, reflecting our collective fascination with status and belonging. This salver, like a page from a vast, ever-unfolding family album, invites us to ponder the enduring human need to mark our place in the world.