Object Description
Large cast iron Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
British, Late 19th Century
Height 121cm, width 184cm, depth 22cm
This exceptionally well-crafted cast-iron sign is shaped in the form of the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. It was manufactured in the late nineteenth century by Walter MacFarlane & Co, Scotland’s prime producer of ornamental ironwork.
The central shield of the coat of arms is occupied by designs symbolic of the four nations forming the United Kingdom. Three lions represent England and Wales, a rampant lion is symbolic of Scotland and a golden harp represents Ireland. The design of the shield was created in 1707 when the Act of Union was passed. A crowned lion tops the cast iron shield. Framing the shield is a navy border reading ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (‘Evil to him who evil thinks’), symbolising the Order of the Garter.
To the right of the shield stands a gold, crowned lion with its front paws resting on the shield. The left side is adorned with a crowned unicorn, formed in a similar post to that of the lion. Both creatures symbolise the United Kingdom, and this symbolism was first used in 1603.
A navy ribbon intertwined with a rose, thistle and shamrock runs the length of the piece. On it, in white is written ‘Dieu et mon droit’ translating from French to ‘God and my right’, the motto of the United Kingdom’s monarch, now King Charles III.
Three upside-down T-shaped legs support the piece.
Maker’s mark is stamped in the middle of the shield reading ‘Walter MacFarlane & Co Glasgow’.
Recently refreshed, the vibrant colours accentuate all the finely cast detailing and create a stunning ornamental piece. A piece of such a large size would have most likely decorated the façade of a building, but the coat of arms could be positioned in an interior or exterior surrounding.