An antique armorial wall panel. Hand carved from solid oak and dating
from circa.1700-1800. It shows a crowned heart with wings in the centre
surrounded by scrolls and fleur de lys. In good condition. It may be the
crest of the Douglas family clan. 38cms wide and 24cms tall.
The
heart is regarded by the ancients as the mark of a person of sincerity,
who spoke the truth. It is sometimes used in heraldry in this sense but
more often as an emblem of kindness and charity.
Sir James Douglas
famously attempted to carry the heart of Robert the Bruce to the Holy
Land in 1328 - thus the Douglas family crest of the winged heart wearing
a crown. The heart may also be flammant or crowned; the flaming heart
stands for ardent affection.
The crown is an emblem of victory,
sovereignty and empire in heraldry. It is a visible sign of success,
thus the term "crowning achievement" and its significance as the
decoration of the ultimate level of rank and power, makes bearing the
crown a great honour.