MUTE SWAN. . 227 



12 and 14 being the ancient and modern mark of the 

 Dyers' Company; Nos. 13 and 15, the ancient and mo- 

 dern mark of the Vintners' Company. 



The two nicks in the swan- mark of the Vintners' Com- 

 pany, which have so often been the subject of notice, are 

 probably intended for two half lozenges, or a demi- 

 lozenge, on each side ; the V is perhaps a chevron re- 

 versed ; the arms of the Company being Sable, a chevron 

 between three tons, argent. I think it probable that the 

 V is only the chevron reversed, for the true chevron could 

 scarcely be cut on the beak of the bird without each la- 

 teral branch crossing its elongated and tender nostril, and 

 this, from a feeling of humanity, the marker would also 

 be disposed to avoid. The chevron reversed, for many of 

 these swan-marks are evidently heraldic, had the additional 

 adaptation of representing the initial letter of the word 

 Vintner, and forming, also, the Roman numeral five, is 

 further borne in mind, and perhaps intended to be referred 

 to, at their hospitable entertainments, where one of the 

 regular stand-up toasts of the day is, the Worshipful Com- 

 pany of Vintners, with Jive . 



Mr. Kempe appears to discountenance the popular no- 

 tion that the sign of the Swan with two necks has any 

 reference to the two nicks in the swan-mark of this Com- 

 pany; but the sign has been considered a fair heraldic 

 personification of the term ; united, as it is, with the fol- 

 lowing considerations : that the Swan has been for some 

 hundred of years identified with the Vintners' Company 

 and its privileges ; that the principal governing officers of 

 the Company for the time being are, a Master and three 

 Wardens, the junior Warden of the year being called the 

 Swan Warden ; that models of Swans form conspicuous 

 ornaments in their Hall ; and that the first proprietor of 



Q 2 



