Details
A brass warming pan
the cover punch decorated, with inscription to the border THE MERCERS ARMS, the centre with a shield-shaped device enclosing the three quarter length crowned female figure, the flattened wrought iron handle with trumpet-shaped terminal, English, last half 17th century -- 11¼in. (28.6cm) diam, length overall -- 38¾in. (98.4cm)

Lot Essay

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Bromley and Child, The Armorial Bearings of the Guilds of London, Warne and Co, London 1960. Pages 168-172.

By the middle ages the Mercers were importers and exporters, notably of silks and fine textiles.
The arms, without crest, were recorded in the visitations of 1568, 1634 and 1687, but the company had no formerly patent of arms until 1911, when the crest was added.
The female figure is believed to represent the Virgin.

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