Shield of Arms, Crest and Mantling [reverse] 1529

This unpainted metal roundel without a date was created by Matthes Gebel. The composition of the piece is dominated by a central heraldic design, featuring a shield, crest, and mantling. The circular form and the raised relief create a tactile quality, inviting a close examination of the intricate details. The lines are deliberate, defining the heraldic elements, while the texture of the metal provides a subtle, almost aged feel to the piece. Heraldry as a system operates on a semiotic level, where each symbol – the shield, the crest, the mantling – signifies specific meanings related to lineage, status, and identity. The artwork functions as a signifier of power, reflecting the hierarchical structures prevalent during Gebel’s time. The absence of color reduces the visual noise, allowing for a focus on the structural arrangement and the symbolic language employed. This reduction invites a deeper exploration of the codes and conventions embedded within the heraldic system, and how Gebel engages with these established meanings.