Featured Old Unusual Hand Carved Wood Coat of Arms Plaque

I picked up this rather unusual carved wood plaque with a Coat of arms on it. This is about 26 by 18 inches and appears quite old. Any thoughts on how I can track this down? I don’t know if it is a family or fraternal crest? It looks like someone put a lot of work into making it.

 

In case you haven't translated the motto, it means "With soul and Faith." Possibly religious?

 

Scallop shell might indicate a pilgrimage site.

 

Santiago de Compostela.

Debora

 

Y'all are SO good!

 

You bet! Someone with very mature carving skills, and plenty of quality tools at their disposal. It may have been a gift of love related to Santiago de Compostela, or a commissioned work. What are the eleven bird-like figures between the scallop shells, I wonder?

 

I think the motto might better be translated as "With Courage and Faith."

Debora

 

Motto used by:

Carshalton, a town in England
Stockport, another town in England
Medicine Hat, a town in Canada
1st Cavalry Regiment, US Army

Debora

 

This is awfully long but... It's a list of noble families by country that have a scallop shell on their coat of arms.

https://second.wiki/wiki/liste_der_adels-_und_familienwappen_mit_der_jakobsmuschel

Debora

 

Thanks for all of the great info! I don't understand the reference to "Santiago de Compostela" ???

 

The scallop shell is the symbol of St. James who is believed by some to be buried in Santiago de Compostela. (Santiago means St. James in Spanish.) One of the great Medieval pilgrimage sites -- along with Rome and Jerusalem. Those who make the pilgrimage to Santiago are entitled to wear/display the scallop shell.

Debora

 

Maybe ths center symbols are Fleur de lis ??

 

Perhaps furniture salvage from something like this ...
http://www.tradeshousemuseum.org/oak-benches.html

 

don't those look more like doves?

 

Santiago de Compostela was the second most important European place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage.
The pilgrims walked the 'Camino de Santiago', the road to Santiago de Compostela, which is really a network of roads leading to Santiago. Many people still walk the camino for contemplation, or simply because they enjoy walking a historic route.

This is a map of the 'caminos', the routes to Santiago de Compostela. Top left is the official EU shell symbol of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela:


https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelgr...ngen)#/media/Bestand:Stjacquescompostelle.png

Below a man dressed like a Medieval pilgrim on the Via Brabantica, one of the 'caminos', leading from the south of the Netherlands to Saint Quentin, France, where it joins other roads to continue to Santiago. Pilgrims used to travel in groups for safety.
He is kneeling in front of a bronze shell, the sign of the camino.


https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220402_95871192

 

is that a flask in his hand....or a cheese ?

 

I'll lay odds that's an older Spanish tourist piece.

 

He is Belgian, so I guess it is a flask of good Belgian beer. Hoegaarden Grand Cru, hopefully.

 

You must mean the carved COA...not the thing in the pilgrim's left hand... am I correct?
I do not see tourist-junk level of craft in the COA at all...especially if it's as old as it looks.

Most probably a gourd for carrying water. It's a long, hot an' dusty road.

 

Yes, a gourd flask. I think that is what komo meant by 'flask'.