9.25" W x 15" H
A striking late 18th century English copperplate engraving illustrating the rules of heraldic mourning, titled “Distinctions of Funeral Achievements. See System of Heraldry. Plate 1.” The plate presents eight diamond format examples of funeral achievements, commonly known as hatchments, showing how arms were displayed in mourning depending on status and circumstance, including when the husband dies, when the wife dies, bachelor, maiden, widow, and the last male or last female of a family line.
This is the kind of graphic, symbol rich reference print that would have lived inside a Georgian era heraldry volume, made for readers who wanted to understand the visual language of lineage, marriage, and remembrance. The crisp black lozenges, ornate mantling, and subtle memento mori touches give it real presence on a wall, equal parts scholarly and gothic, and a perfect piece for libraries, studies, and layered gallery walls.
Details:
Unframed antique engraving on paper.
Blank verso.
Condition:
Antique condition consistent with age. Light overall toning to the paper with scattered small spots and freckles, most noticeable in the margins. Minor edge wear and handling marks, with a small soft crease and slight corner stress visible at the upper right. No major losses observed, and the image remains clear and strong for display.
