French 17th/18th Century Carved Armorial

A romantic and beautifully carved wood 17th/18th Century French Armorial Crest.

Featuring glorious intricate details: the centrepiece of the armorial is a shield divided into symbols, a dove, eagle and rose remain.  The motifs signify family, territory, or personal heritage.

Surmounting the armorial, there is a sunburst behind a dominant eagle, perched with wings outstretched, symbolising strength, power, and rebirth. Surrounding the shield are carved dramatic swathes of ornate acanthus scrollwork, which are typical of the Baroque or Rococo styles often associated with French decorative art from the 17th to 18th centuries. These embellishments add to the regal and elaborate appearance of the piece.

The extremely beautiful aged and weathered condition and texture of the wood adds to its character, suggesting it has been exposed to the elements and has endured significant passage of time. The surface is covered in flaking cracked paint in - now - pastel tones where heraldic colours were once vibrant.

An armorial crest would have served as a marker of lineage, nobility, or allegiance and would have been displayed in a chateau or as part of a family’s heraldic tradition.