Tankard

Tapering cylindrical on raised domed spreading foot applied with a reeded rim, the lower part of the body chased with a band of alternating vertical acanthus leaves and almettes, the tubular scroll handle with scalloped square terminal; the hinged domed cover chased with a rose head, with cast entwined dolphin thumbpiece; the base engraved with a crest of a demi-griffin, wings outstretched, charged with an estoille. The attribution of this mark to Dorothy Grant, the widow of William Grant, has been made by Ian Pickford. She is recorded as having an apprentice in 1679. Traditionally a lozenge- (diamond-) shaped punch, reminiscent of the heraldic shield borne by a lady, was used by women silversmiths working in England.