Escutcheon
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:G3 Arms.png Escutcheon is the term used in heraldry for the shield displayed in a coat of arms. An inescutcheon is a smaller escutcheon borne within a larger escutcheon. The escutcheon shape is based on the Medieval shields that were used by knights in combat. Since this shape has been regarded as a war-like device appropriate to men only, ladies customarily bear their coat of arms upon a lozenge, or diamond-shape, while clergymen bear theirs on a cartouche, or oval.
Derived from its meaning in heraldy, the term "escutcheon" can be used to represent a family and its honour. A family member who does something shameful can be described as a "blot on the escutcheon."
Other meanings
- An escutcheon is also an item of door furniture. In this case, it is an architectural item that surrounds a keyhole or lock cylinder. Escutcheons are mainly decorative; they draw the eye to the keykole, but some help to protect a lock cylinder from drilling, snapping etc.
- An escutcheon is also used in bathroom plumbing. It is the chrome plate behind a knob on a shower's temperature and water flow control.
- In the German army under the Nazi reign, military awards worn on the sleeve near the shoulder were also called escutcheon or shields.
- On ships, the escutcheon is the name plate on the rear of the vessel.
| The Heraldry Series |
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Blazon | Cadency | Canting arms | Coat of arms | Officers of Arms |
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Badge | Crest | Compartment | Mantling | Mon | Quartering | Shield | Supporters |
da:Våbenskjold he:מגן (הרלדיקה) pl:Tarcza herbowa fi:Kilpi (heraldiikka)