Tankard 1694 - 1695

This silver tankard was crafted in London by V.C. sometime between 1680 and 1695. The coat of arms prominently displayed is not merely decorative; it's a potent symbol of identity and lineage. Its presence evokes an immediate connection to the noble families of the time and echoes heraldic traditions found across Europe, even reminiscent of the elaborate family crests adorning Renaissance palaces. Think of the Medicis in Florence, where such symbols were not just markers of identity but tools of power, declaring status and heritage. The lion rampant atop the shield is not unique to this family, of course. The lion, courage, nobility—these associations stretch back to ancient Mesopotamia, appearing in royal iconography across millennia. The resurgence and adaptation of such symbols reveal our ongoing need to connect with the past, to root ourselves in a history that, while ever-changing, remains a powerful force in our collective psyche.