Escutcheon

From Freepedia

In heraldry, the shield is the principal portion of a heraldic achievement or coat of arms. Figures and patterns are depicted emblazoned upon the shield in many different arrangements.

The shields of male armigers are commonly displayed on a shape known as an escutcheon, based on the shape of Medieval shields used by knights in combat. Since this shape has been regarded as a war-like device appropriate to men only, ladies customarily bear their arms upon a lozenge, or diamond-shape, and clergymen bear theirs on a cartouche, or oval.

An escutcheon is also an item of door furniture.

An escutcheon is also used in bathroom plumbing. It is the chrome plate behind a knob on a shower's temperature and water flow control.

In Nazi army the military awards worn usually on sleeve near the shoulder are also called shields.

Escutcheon, as a term, can be used to represent an entire family. A family member who does something shameful can be described as a "blot on the escutcheon."

The Heraldry Series
Crest | Compartment | Field | Line | Mantling | Shield | Supporters | Tincture
Argent | Azure | Carnation | Celeste | Cendrée | Gules | Murrey | Or | Purpure | Sable | Sanguine | Tenné | Vert
Bend | Chevron | Chief | Cross | Fess | Fillet | Flaunch | Pall | Pale | Quarter | Saltire