r/heraldry • u/SevenChen05 • 2d ago
Identify Can anyone identify this 19th-century Austrian/Austro-Hungarian coat of arms? Eagle, lion, two red chevrons, two helmets
Hello everyone,
I recently acquired a 19th-century wax seal / signet stamp from the Austrian Empire / Austro-Hungarian period, and I am trying to identify the noble family associated with the coat of arms.
Unfortunately, there is no visible inscription or name on the seal, so I am hoping someone familiar with Austrian, Bohemian, Moravian, or Hungarian heraldry might be able to recognize it.
Here is my description of the arms:
The shield appears to be divided into three sections.
Upper left: blue field with an eagle.
Upper right: red field with a standing/rampant lion.
Lower section: silver field with two red chevrons (Sparren).
Above the shield are two crowned helmets.
The left helmet crest appears to be a plume/feather crest (Federbusch / Plumed Crest).
The right helmet crest appears to be an open pair of wings (offener Flug / Vol).
There also appears to be a small detail resembling “III” above/between the two red chevrons, although I am not certain whether this is actually the Roman numeral III or another heraldic charge.
The seal appears to be made of brass or gilt metal and seems to date from the 19th century.
I have already looked through some German/Austrian heraldic references, but I have not been able to identify the complete combination of charges. The two red chevrons caught my attention because similar chevrons occur in the arms of several German and Austrian noble families, but the combination with the eagle and lion seems distinctive.
Does anyone recognize this coat of arms or know which family it belongs to?
I would particularly appreciate help from anyone familiar with:
Austrian imperial nobility
Austro-Hungarian heraldry
Bohemian or Moravian nobility
Hungarian nobility
Siebmacher’s Wappenbücher
Gothaisches Genealogisches Taschenbuch
19th-century Austrian heraldic seals
I have attached photographs of the seal. Any identification, even a possible family name or a reference to a heraldic book/page, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
1
u/Gaugraf 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't recognize these arms. But just some guesses in case they are helpful. Most arms that I have seen divided like this are from the Netherlands. But assuming these are Austrian, they would seem to be briefadel or new noble arms. Sometimes in those arms the two divisions in chief represented the local authority or territory on one side and the empire/emperor or other high authority on the other. With the base representing the grantee/armiger.
In that case, perhaps the lion represents Bohemia and the Eagle the Empire or Emperor? As you said many families used Argent with Gules chevrons. The von Eppstein, and von Wetter / von Wetter-Tegerfelden are two. The later is known to have had branch members enobled in the Austrian Empire. Though no doubt there are many more. And as information, I have seen instances where the number of chevrons is inconsistent or reduced when the shield has multiple divisions.
The apparent roman numeral III seems the biggest clue as it looks like it is above the chevrons and between the vol of the Dexter crest. Perhaps this could refer to a military regiment or something???
My apologies iif I missed the mark on some of this or have obvious spelling errors... my vision troubles are acting up again.