Coat of Arms
The Company’s Arms
Crest: A Brock (Badger) holding a golden horn (Or), in reference to the Company’s two founders, Lord Brooke and Jonathan Horne.
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Shield: Gules (red), signifying magnanimity, in reference to the Company’s charitable work. Set with a depiction of the Horne Cup, donated by the Court in memory of Jonathan Horne. ​
Crossed spears, an allusion to the Roman soldiers’ practice of planting a spear in the ground to advertise an auction. The reference to Roman practice (and the head of Mithras on the Company’s Badge) symbolises the Arts Scholars’ study, conservation and trade in items from ancient to modern times.
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Supporters: Symbolising two facets of guardianship of ancient treasures: a Squirrel holding a golden acorn, signifying the careful collector, and the Dragon, the symbol of the City of London and of the fierce protector, here cradling a pot of excavated Roman gold.
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Motto: Artes in Urbe Colamus – “We Cherish (or Foster) Arts in the City”, devised by Past Master and archaeologist Dr. Geoff Egan FSA.
The head of Mithras in the Museum of London. The Cult of Mithras was popular among Roman soldiers and traders in London in the 4th Century AD. This example was excavated from the Temple of Mithras beneath Walbrook in the City, in 1954. A copy of the bust adorns our Annual Dinners.
The Grant of Arms granted on 14 September 2012 and presented to the Master,
Christopher Claxton Stevens, by Windsor Herald at the Annual Banquet on 28 January 2013.
(Click on the image for a higher resolution version)