Canister with two handles

NICCOLO STEMMA Collection: The Heraldic Collection This collection groups canisters, pitchers and vases featuring several medieval Heraldic crests. During the middle-ages, each reigning noble family had an ornamental crest that declared their possessions, of clothing, accessories, real estate property and anything else that belonged to them. Up to the late fifteenth century, crests were considered to be the perquisites of the knightly class - those who possessed both the rank and the resources which enabled them to participate in tournaments where crests were used.