19th century Alden coat of arms watercolor and Gouache on paper.
 
This ancient Coat of Arms is hand painted artwork honoring the Scottish family of Alden. This good work is watercolor and guache with gold and silver accents on paper. It is framed under glass. The derivation of the surname and the historical significance of the crest is well documented.
 
Condition: Very Good. Wear consistent with age.
Measurements: Framed- 20 1/2" H x 16 1/2" W x 3/4" D Image only- 17" H x 13" W
Weight: 4 lbs 2 oz
 
Shipping to be calculated.
 
Alden Coat of Arms symbolism and meaning (according to COADB): "The two main devices (symbols) in the Alden blazon are the crescent and bat’s wing. The three main tinctures (colors) are gules, or and ermine. The bold red color, gules has a long history within heraldry. It is known that one of those who besieged the scottish castle of Carlaverock in 1300 was the French knight Euremions de la Brette who had as his arms a simple red shield. The word gules is thought to come from the Arabic gule, or “red rose”. Later writers associated it with the precious stone ruby and the metal iron, perhaps because of the red glow of iron in the heat of the blacksmith’s forge. The bright yellow color frequently found in coats of arms is known to heralds as Or, or sometimes simply as Gold. Along with, argent, or silver it forms the two “metals” of heraldry – one of the guidelines of heraldic design is that silver objects should not be placed upon gold fields and vice versa. The yellow color is often associated with the Sun, and the zodiacal sign of Leo. Ermine is a very ancient pattern, and distinctive to observe. It was borne alone by John de Monfort, the Earl of Richmond and Duke of Brittany in the late 14th century. It has a long association with royalty and the nobility in general and hence represents “Dignity” wherever it is found. The ermine pattern is white with, typically, a three dots and a dart grouping representing the tail of the furred creature. The ermine spot is sometimes found alone as a special charge on the shield. For easy recognition of the items on a coat of arms, and hence the quick identification of the owner, bold simple shapes are best. Hence, simple geometric shapes are often used for this purpose. xz`, and the crescent Is a typical example of this, and can appear in any of the main heraldic.".