Crest- Name of Fairfield c. 1790

John Coles made this watercolor crest for the Fairfield family, but when and where is unknown. Crests like this were used in the British colonies, where they often served as symbols of social status and aspiration for upwardly mobile families. The Fairfield crest contains heraldic devices that communicate specific ideas about the family's identity. Two raven-like birds, for example, perch atop the crest, possibly alluding to traits like intelligence or prophecy. Three pinecones dangle below, possibly representing the family's connection to nature, the land, or a specific geographic location. The words on the banner assert the name “Fairfield.” Such images must be understood as part of a wider cultural and institutional history, so we must investigate how these crests were used in colonial America. One might consult period books on heraldry or examine portraits that incorporate similar crests as backdrops to better understand how they functioned as visual symbols of social status.