Porringer, tableware

Porringer with quatrefoil ears. One ear is marked with an inverted ownership triad of ‘G’ and ‘W’ over ‘A’. There is a worn touch underneath of a baroque-style beaded shield with a central fleur-de-lys flanked by the letter/s ‘I’ and [?], surmounted by two crosses pattée.

Arms with fleur-de-lis are widespread, but the style of this piece does suggest a Continental source. The fleur-de-lis was part of the arms of the Dukes of Burgundy and is still included in the arms and town marks of some of their former provinces. Similar eared vessels are known from northern France and Belgium. Date: probably late 16th century.