The mermaid is most widely seen in Germanic decorative arts. Willson's depiction might indicate that she was aware of Germanic decorative traditions, but her heritage is more likely English. Her Maremaid resembles the subject of an 18th-century trade sign and trade card from London. Brandishing a weapon in each hand, rather than a mirror and comb, as in the London images, Willson's ideal appears to combine attributes of the Amazon with those of the mermaid.