Coat of Arms, Fiigree (Quillwork)

Date1800-1815

MediumRolled paper, wood, glass, pearwood and gilt frame

DimensionsOH: 17 3/4" x OW: 17" (framed)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957-153,A

DescriptionThis is a coat of arms. In its original black and gilt frame, the coat of arms is executed in rolled paper work in bright, red, blue, green, and gold aginst a tan ground. Below the coat of arms is a motto that is written in black paper on a white, rolled paper work ribbon. The motto reads, "ASPERA ET DURA PERFRINGIT VIRTUS." A faded inscription on the back of the work reads, "He beareth Baron and Femme two Coats Impaled; first Argent, a Chevron between three Boars heads erased by Azure, by the ancient Name of France descended from England. Impaled with Or, a Lion rampant Gules by Name of McDonnel. And for his Crest a Boar's Head erect and erased of the second, with this Device, ASPERA ET DURA PERFRINGIT VIRTUS." This heraldic inscription accurately matches the appearance of the coat of arms: the left side of the coat of arms shows three blue boar heads on a silver ground. Two boar heads are above a blue chevron and one boar head is below it. The right side of the coat of arms shows a red lion standing on its hind legs with its arms outstretched on a gold ground. Attached directly to the surface of a 1/4" board, the shield-shaped crest is encircled by scrolling leaves and plumes. The border consists of "S" scrolls with anchors in four corners. The motto roughly translates to "It is difficult to break down strength."
Label TextThis rolled paper-work coat of arms is made entirely of thin, colored strips of paper, bent and curved to create the heraldic symbol, motto, and the sinuous leaves and curls. The coat of arms combines two families' coats of arms, most likely commemorating a marriage of these two families. The motto, which reads, "ASPERA ET DURA PERFRINGIT VIRTUS" is in Latin and roughly translates to "It is difficult to break down strength." This coat of arms was likely made by a woman commemorating her marriage to her husband or a girl commemorating the coats of arms of her parents.
Inscribed"ASPERA ET DURA PERFRINGIT VIRTUS"
A faded inscription on the back of the work reads, "He beareth Baron and Femme two Coats Impaled; first Argent, a Chevron between three Boars heads erased by Azure, by the ancient Name of France descended from England. Impaled with Or, a Lion rampant Gules by Name of McDonnel. And for his Crest a Boar's Head erect and erased of the second, with this Device, ASPERA ET DURA, PERFRINGIT VIRTUS."
MarkingsNone