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Some Special Interests => Heraldry Crests and Coats of Arms => Topic started by: Katie1289 on Thursday 11 October 18 23:51 BST (UK)

Title: Help identifying arms
Post by: Katie1289 on Thursday 11 October 18 23:51 BST (UK)
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me identify this fire backplate? It depicts an upside down anchor with a crown on top and a rope curled below. The letters C and R are either side.

I’ve searched the internet but not found anything like it. Any help or pointers would be much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,

Katie
Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: hallmark on Friday 12 October 18 00:27 BST (UK)
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Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: KGarrad on Friday 12 October 18 07:34 BST (UK)
The initials "C R" could refer to Carolus Rex - Charles I?
Or it could simply be the initials of the original owner?

The crown isn't the usual representation of the British/English crown, though.

A reversed anchor appears to more frequent in Continental Heraldry, rather than British.
Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: Kiltpin on Friday 12 October 18 10:26 BST (UK)
I wonder if this is one of the "hidden Catholic symbols in plain view". A post 1649 memoriam to the martyred King Charles. The upturned, crowned anchor, quite literally, symbolises a faith that has lost its anchor.

All these, hidden in plain view symbols were dangerous to their owner - IF anyone made the association between it and Catholicism.

Regards

Chas
Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: KGarrad on Friday 12 October 18 11:50 BST (UK)
A plausible explanation, Chas!

I like it ;D
Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: Katie1289 on Friday 12 October 18 14:15 BST (UK)
Thank you both, really interesting! It's currently in the back of a small fireplace in a small two-up two-down terraced house that we've just moved into in west London. It was built around 1900, so trying to establish the connection. Thank you for the pointers, I'll keep researching!

Many thanks,

Katie
Title: Re: Help identifying arms
Post by: Viktoria on Friday 12 October 18 18:34 BST (UK)
That style of crown was very similar to that worn by Charles ll,most of the regalia was broken down by Cromwell and so new had to be made for the
Restoration. Google it.
Portrait of Charles ll in coronation regalia.
Charles’ wife, Catherine of Braganza was a Roman Catholic and he was pretty tolerant.
Wonder how it came to be in a house from 1900.
Charles did develop the Royal Navy, Samuel  Pepys was directly responsible to him for certain matters regarding the Naval Dockyard etc.
How interesting.
Viktoria.