The Family Coat of Arms

Dating back to the 11th century, the coat of arms has evolved from an identifying design used on shields to distinguish knights in battle, to an emblem based on the historic achievements of a family's ancestors. Because of their origination within the aristocratic class, the family coat of arms has been a source of pride, especially when it can be traced back to early times.

In Middle Ages, for those wealthy enough to have one, the coat of arms was often the most prominently displayed piece of art within a home. While no longer held in this level of regard, the coat of arms still makes an interesting display within a home because of its uniqueness to the people who own it. Because of the significance of this type of art, framing it uniquely can enhance its presentation. In this example, the gold-spun mat recreates the look of royalty not available to the masses in 15th century Ireland and the frame design is reminiscent of castle design at that time.

When decorating your home, consider thinking beyond paintings and prints by artists with which you have no actual connection. Use a few of these images that you really enjoy, but you might just already have a number of items that, when properly mounted and framed, will create beautiful wall art that is both unique and meaningful. Here are just a few ideas to get you started: http://www.fastframelakeville.com/EXAMPLES_IDEAS.htm, but visit your local custom framer with some of your own treasures and see what you can create for your home.

As a point of interest, a coat of arms is not the same as a family crest. The coat of arms is a heraldic design originally displayed on a shield. A crest is a three-dimensional emblem or decorative ornamentation that was displayed on top of a helmet. While the crest may contain heraldic representations that are also in a coat of arms, and some people have used the terms interchangeably, they are distinctly different objects and should not be confused.



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