Sailors came to adopt (indeed may well have originated) the ancient Christian anchor symbol as representative of “Hope,” which by the 18th century came to be accompanied by a female figure leaning on the anchor. These symbol elements manifest themselves pictorially in whalemen’s journals, scrimshaw, decorative ceramics and an array of other objects and artworks. Originally tied to spiritual salvation, the anchor also became a powerful symbol in maritime communities of the hope families sustained that their loved ones could, in fact, return safely home ashore from a seafaring voyage.
Nice find! That is a keeper for sure, I found a button with a similar motif, but it was a pedastal the woman figure was leaning on. photo attached
Don
