Herald's Tabard

Currently not on view

Herald's Tabard

1707-1714

Artist/maker unknown, English Worn by Sir Henry St. George (the Younger) (British, 1625–1715)

In medieval times, heralds were messengers who wore tabards (open-sided garments) displaying their masters' arms to be recognized in battle. After heralds were charged with regulating the use of coats of arms, both their position and the garment became ceremonial. This tabard displays the coat of arms of Queen Anne (reigned 1702–14): the three lions of England and the lion rampant of Scotland quartered with the harp of Ireland and the fleurs-de-lis of France, then claimed by England. The Scottish symbol dates the tabard after the 1707 formation of the parliament of Great Britain.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

Herald's Tabard

Date:

1707-1714

Artists:

Artist/maker unknown, English Worn by Sir Henry St. George (the Younger) (British, 1625–1715)

Medium:

Silk satin; appliquéd with silk faille with supplementary metallic wefts; silk and metal-wrapped silk embroidery in satin, stem, and seed stitches and couching; metal-wrapped silk braid; metal-wraped silk and metal plate plain weave trim; glass beads

Dimensions:

Length x Width: 36 x 60 inches (91.4 x 152.4 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Gift of Elizabeth Malcolm Bowman in memory of Wendell Phillips Bowman, 1930

Accession Number:

1930-28-1

Geography:

Made in England, Europe

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Currently not on view