Counter with arms in LOZENGE for the widow RUSSELL

Code: E55

Dimensions:

Women were not allowed to bear coats of arms at the time ( it seems very controversial nowadays!) but in the case of a widow it was possible to display the arms in a lozenge as here. The impaled arms may be for RUSSELL though the monogram CA to the reverse contradicts that. Counter with 'swags' type border circa 1780.