Strange emblem

[booksearch]

Can anyone tell me what this strange emblem (found on a Victorian sugar sifter) means/represents? Thanks, Rob




Click on link for bigger picture:
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[StewartMcI]

This is the armorial CREST of the noble family of the original owner. The object being held is not clear, but if it is identifiable "in the flesh" it would be easy to narrow down the possible family names, but without the associated motto, fairly unlikely a definite candidate could be confirmed.

The standard reference is "Fairbairn's Book of Crests" and reprints are widely available, on line and accessible in any decent library.

Stewart

[dognose]

Hi Rob,

Welcome to the Forum.

Possibly that of the Comyn family.



Trev.

[booksearch]

Dear Trev,

Just seen your post - so clever of you to have found this! Thanks a load!

Rob.

[booksearch]

Can we ask: did you find this in the Fairbairn book the other poster mentioned? Can't see any references to this on the internet. Thanks, Treve.

[dognose]

That one came from 'The Heraldry of Crests' by J.P.Elven - 1824

Trev.

[booksearch]

Thanks, Rob

[historydetective]

Booksearch, may we see the hallmarks? William Comyns was an important late 19th-century Birmingham and London silversmith, so it would be interesting to see the maker of your sugar sifter, although your sifter would probably pre-date his years of production. William Comyns & Sons also, of course, made silver in the 20th century. I infer that the absense of the "s" on the end of the surname in the crest references doesn't exclude this piece from having belonged to the ComynS family, as small changes to surnames accrue over time. Thanks in advance!