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apulliam
Non AGG Members
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Tue Mar 11th, 2008 07:47 pm |
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Hello,
I am currently researching a panel from a private collection and it seems I have met a dead end. I am writing in the hopes that someone will be able to offer more conclusive ideas as to what the imagery in the panel below could be.
The main question that I am faced with deals with the identification of the marks emblazoned on the shield and the breast of the figure in the upper left. My research has led me to conclude that the panel represents a burgher coat of arms, the arms of the commoners of Western Europe. Similar to imagery found in the arms of nobles, the panel includes a crest, helm, mantling and shield. I believe that the marks in question could be considered merchant marks, or house marks. The simple linear emblems are composed of devices commonly found in merchant marks. One in particular is the mystical sign of four, or the staff or mercury, found in the mark emblazoned on the tunic of the figure affixed to the helmet in the panel. It is similar to the mark on the shield; the only difference between the two is the inclusion of the Sign of Four. In heraldry, when a modification to a charge is present on the crest, it is typically associated with the person who bore it, most often one of multiple sons in a family. If such reasoning can be applied to this panel, then the figure standing to our right in the panel might be a son presenting a family mark or a member of a guild presenting the guild’s mark.
My questions are:
Am I right to conclude that this is an example of a Burgher Arm? Can the marks be considered merchant marks? If so, would anyone have an idea of the panel’s provenance by looking at them? I am quite sure that I will not be able to identify the exact family but I do hope to pin point a general local. If it is a Burgher Arm, can it be read much like a noble coat of arms?
I am by no means a heraldist; as I mentioned, I am writing in the hopes that someone with a bit more knowledge of the subject of heraldry/merchant marks than I can offer advice.
Any information, explanations, corrections to my conclusions, or recommendations for further reading would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
AmyAttached Image (viewed 53 times):
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mmezalick
AGG member
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Posted: Thu Mar 13th, 2008 11:53 am |
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Amy,
It looks like you really stumped us. This is really a difficult one. It looks like a printers mark I have seen in a book from Dover about symbols. It's close but no cigar.
Have you tried posting it on http://www.about.com
or
http://www.allexperts.com/
Michael
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mmezalick
AGG member
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Thu Mar 13th, 2008 12:07 pm |
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Here's what I have so far. I don't know if it helps or just adds to the confusion. You decide.
Another printer who worked at this time was Julian Notary. He was associated in the production of books with Jean Barbier, and another whose initials, J. H., are believed to be those of J. Huvin, a printer of Paris. They established themselves in London at the sign of St. Thomas the Apostle, and their most important book was the Questiones Alberti de modis significandi, which they followed up in 1497 with an octavo edition of the Horæ ad usum Sarum. In 1498 Barbier and Notary removed to King Street, Westminster, where they printed in folio a Missale ad usum Sarum. Soon afterwards Notary was printing by himself, his partner, Barbier, having returned to France. Two quartos, the Liber Festivalis and Quattuor Sermones, are all that can be traced to his press in 1499, and a small edition of the Horæ ad usum Sarum is the sole record of this work in 1500.
Attached Image (viewed 31 times):
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Vic
Director
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Posted: Thu Mar 13th, 2008 11:51 pm |
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Try posting a photo here. I had a similar question and got a great response.
http://www.bsmgp.org.uk/forum/
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mmezalick
AGG member
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Fri Mar 14th, 2008 01:05 am |
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Vic,
Great suggeston.
Isn't there a fee to join the forum?
I have had trouble in the past getting around their site.
Michael
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Vic
Director
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Posted: Fri Mar 14th, 2008 01:08 am |
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| I don't know if there is a fee. I am a member of the BSMGP
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