MOUNT 778096

Description: An incomplete early modern (c.1650-1850) copper alloy heraldic livery mount of uncertain form, but perhaps depicting a swan extending from a twisted-rope base. The base is solid and measures 64.6x9.7x3.8mm with grooved decoration dividing it into six parts, each with a curved edge and imitative of twisted rope. From the centre extends a curving neck/ arm/ body (perhaps a swan's neck). This is decorated with curved grooves (and moulded grooves where it sits on the twisted rope base) imitative of perhaps feathers or scales, and is convex to the front and concave to the reverse. It terminates in a worn break 10.8mm wide and perhaps across a piercing 3.4mm in diameter. It measures 39.1mm where it sits on the twisted rope base and has a central piercing 4.6mm in diameter. To the reverse is a broken projecting lug at either end of the solid base, set horizontally. Along either side of the arm/ neck/ body slightly offset from each other is one complete rectangular lug with a 1.9mm diameter piercing and one broken lug. The mount measures 64.6mm in length, 65.7mm in height, 10.4mm in max.depth and weighs 31.35g. David Williams comments that there are numerous, generic crests featuring swans, herons, cranes etc. in Fairbairn's Book of Crests (1905), so it would not be possible to tie this object down to one particular family.

Date: 1650 - 1850

Object type: MOUNT

Last import: August 15, 2017