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Fine Art, Painting, Kingdom of Belgium Greater Coat of Arms, Oil on Tin, Antique, 19th Century (Sold)

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Kingdom of Belgium Greater Coat of Arms
[Belgium]: c. Mid-Late 19th Century
Oil on tin
Signed indistinctly lower right
33.25 x 25.5 inches
38.5 x 31.25 inches, framed

Large and detailed painting of the greater version of the royal coat of arms of Belgium, finely rendered as a trompe-l’oeil object against a black background and highlighted in gold. The greater arms, as the design is known, is the most elaborate, and least often used version of the coat of arms — there are also middle and lesser versions. It mainly appears on the great seal affixed to laws and international treaties. The words “Kingdom of Belgium” are lettered in gold in French and Flemish, the two languages of Belgium, on a dark red ribbon: “Royaume de Belgique Koninkrijk België.” Presented in an impressive early ebonized frame.

Product description continues below.

Description

The Greater Coat of Arms was adopted via royal decree on March 17, 1837. The central design or blazon is comprised of a Belgian lion in profile surrounded by the grand collar of the Order of Leopold. On either side are a pair of standing fierce lions holding lances with two national flags of Belgium. Beneath them is the motto “L’union fait la force” [Unity is strength]. The whole is placed on a dark red mantle with ermine lining and fringes and tassels, surmounted by a gold crown. Above the mantle are the banners of the arms of the nine provinces that constituted Belgium in 1837, from left: Antwerp, West Flanders, East Flanders, Liège, Brabant, Hainaut, Limburg, Luxembourg and Namur.

Condition: Generally very good, with the usual overall light toning, wear. Some light minor scattered flaking, drying cracks, craquelure, abrasions, and paint losses.

Reference:

“Coat of arms of Belgium.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Belgium (1 June 2021).

Additional information

Century

19th Century