The Victorian period pierced armorial, in bronze, showing the Royal Coat of Arms with unicorn and lion and Latin “Honi soit qui mal y pense” and “Dieu et mon droit” referring to the divine right of the Monarch to govern, the whole with a wonderful weathered Verdigris finish and surviving from the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
Unknown.
Coats of arms such as this are more commonly found in polychromed and carved wood, gesso, or cast iron. The Latin is of course the motto of the English chivalric Order of the Garter. This statement supposedly originated when King Edward III was dancing with his first cousin and daughter-in-law, Joan of Kent. Her garter slipped down to her ankle, causing those around her to snicker at her humiliation. In an act of chivalry Edward placed the garter around his own leg, saying “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, and the phrase later became the motto of the Order.
The quality cast not seen often in bronze; this armorial would be perfect for placement over a doorway.
The armorial is in very good shape, the bronze with a nice patination and some oxidization to places but with no losses or damage to speak of. There is a hanging wire to the reverse if wanting to wall mount.
By appointment only.
