In article , Ian Jelf
writes
(Incidentally, the "Howdah" was a quite common guild symbol,
[...]
I *think* it might even appear on the coat of arms of the Mercers'
Company in London, too but I'm not in a position to check that out from
where I'm posting at the moment.

Checked. No.

On their web site, the shield is shown as gules, a woman's head and
shoulders cut off by a wreath argent and wearing a coronet with 8 points
surmounted by balls [1], all within a very fancy [2] bordure argent. No
supporters. Crest is the same woman. Motto "HONOR DEO".

[1] Not one of the crest coronets I recognise.
[2] I can't be bothered to look up what it is.

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