Fimbriation

 
gselvester
 
Avatar
 
 
gselvester
Total Posts:  2683
Joined  11-05-2004
 
 
 
12 August 2012 19:22
 

Is there a general rule of thumb regarding fimbriation? Is there any limitation to its usage? I have a client who wants a sable charge on a gules field. Obviously, fimbriating the charge with a metal will solve the problem but is there a guideline on this? I was under the impression that fimbriation was usually used only for ordinaries and sub-ordinaries and not usually for any charges. Any thoughts?

 
gselvester
 
Avatar
 
 
gselvester
Total Posts:  2683
Joined  11-05-2004
 
 
 
13 August 2012 00:54
 

I’m working to a deadline so anything anyone might wish to add is appreciated.

 
Richard G.
 
Avatar
 
 
Richard G.
Total Posts:  451
Joined  26-07-2011
 
 
 
13 August 2012 02:49
 

Not sure this helps much Fr. Guy, however the South African Bureau of Heraldry accepted the design of Daniel Christopher Boyer (H4/3/41921)

ARMS: Sable, three fleurs-de-lys one and two Azure, fimbriated Argent, in base a chevron per chevron Vert and Gules, all fimbriated Argent.

 
Jeffrey Boyd Garrison
 
Avatar
 
 
Jeffrey Boyd Garrison
Total Posts:  1006
Joined  10-03-2009
 
 
 
13 August 2012 04:36
 

Fr., I think at best you could get away just fine with fimbriating simple non-ordinary/sub-ordinary charges such as roundels, mullets, billets, etc… however, non-geometric figures such as animals or complex objects would be pushing the limit of good heraldry IMO.

 
liongam
 
Avatar
 
 
liongam
Total Posts:  343
Joined  19-02-2006
 
 
 
13 August 2012 04:43
 

Guy,

Although in general, ordinaries and sub-ordinaries can if required be fimbriated -the term means ‘edged’, it would not preclude a charge being fimbriated.  The only caveat being that such a fimbriation of a charge is liable to be indistinct at a distance if using the yardstick of such arms being borne by a knight on the field of battle.  This is the only reason I can imagine that would ordinarily (no pun intended) and practically militate against such a fimbriation, although a judgement from an artistic/design perspective would need to be considered when deciding whether to fimbriate a charge or not.

 

With every good wish

 

John

 
Joseph McMillan
 
Avatar
 
 
Joseph McMillan
Total Posts:  7658
Joined  08-06-2004
 
 
 
13 August 2012 08:10
 

I’m aware of a recent Lyon grant that has (if I recall correctly) green flowers of some kind fimbriated gold on a sable field.  So it’s apparently not against the rules.  But 1 Cor 10:23.  I think it rarely makes for good heraldry.

 
gselvester
 
Avatar
 
 
gselvester
Total Posts:  2683
Joined  11-05-2004
 
 
 
13 August 2012 17:48
 

Thanks all!

 
Michael F. McCartney
 
Avatar
 
 
Michael F. McCartney
Total Posts:  3535
Joined  24-05-2004
 
 
 
14 August 2012 22:07
 

I would second the comments above, though likely a day late & a dollar short.

I’m sure we’d all appreciate seeing the finished design, if the owner is OK with your sharing it!