Historical Objects in Heraldry

 One of our members, Herbert Coutts MBE, has suggested an interesting blog theme - namely, the use of actual historical objects in heraldry.

Here, to get us started, is Herbert's own crest. He writes:

In my own case, the ferocious coot statant in my crest is holding in its dexter foot a Bronze Age spearhead Proper. This refers specifically to a late Bronze Age hoard consisting of two swords and a spearhead that was unearthed at Pyotdykes Farm, just north of Dundee in the 1960s. I was an archaeologist at Dundee Museum at the time and was invited to inspect the farmer's discovery. The hoard was lying on his kitchen table when I arrived, and he agreed that I should take it to the museum. It was subsequently designated as treasure trove by the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer.

The spearhead was particularly significant as it was ornamented with an unusual decorated gold band at the mouth of the socket. Also, on detailed examination, it was found to have a remnant of Bronze Age cloth in its socket, which had been wrapped round the top of a wooden shaft before it was inserted. Herald Painter, Yvonne Holton has represented the spearhead very accurately.

The blazon, incidentally, merely states:  A coot statant holding in its dexter foot a Bronze-Age spearhead Proper so it is fascinating to know the full story.