Vair: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Vair''' is one of the [[fur]]s used as a [[tincture]] ([[colour]]) in [[heraldry]]. It's a hard-to-describe regular pattern of blue (''[[azure]]'') and white (''[[argent]]''). The pattern is supposed to resemble [[squirrel]] pelts sewn together in alternating colors. It is found in a variety of colours, and appears in different arrangements, each with its own name. |
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It goes back, as does [[ermine]], to a fur highly prized by the potentates of the [[Middle Ages]]. The word ''vair'' is derived from the Middle English forms ''veir'' and ''vair�'', meaning ''variegated fur'' (from the French vair, itself from the [[Latin]] ''varius'', variegated). |
It goes back, as does [[ermine]], to a fur highly prized by the potentates of the [[Middle Ages]]. The word ''vair'' is derived from the [[Middle English]] forms ''veir'' and ''vair�'', meaning ''variegated fur'' (from the [[French]] vair, itself from the [[Latin]] ''varius'', variegated). |
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The squirrel in question was apparently blue-grey on the back and white underneath, and was much used for the lining of cloaks. It was sewn together in alternating cup-shaped pieces of back and stomach fur, resulting in a pattern of grey-blue and grey-white which, when simplified in heraldic drawing and [[painting]], became blue and white in alternating pieces. The species involved has never been accurately identified. |
The squirrel in question was apparently blue-grey on the back and white underneath, and was much used for the lining of cloaks. It was sewn together in alternating cup-shaped pieces of back and stomach fur, resulting in a pattern of grey-blue and grey-white which, when simplified in heraldic drawing and [[painting]], became blue and white in alternating pieces. The species involved has never been accurately identified. |
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In the oldest records vair is represented by means of straight horizontal lines alternating with vertical wavy or [[nebuly]] lines (sometimes blazoned as ''vair ond�'' or ''vair ancien''). |
In the oldest records vair is represented by means of straight horizontal lines alternating with vertical wavy or [[nebuly]] lines (sometimes blazoned as ''vair ond�'' or ''vair ancien''). |
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A fur of other colours than argent and azure is referred to as '''vairy''' (or '''vair�''') of |
A fur of other colours than argent and azure is referred to as '''vairy''' (or '''vair�''') of <METAL> and <COLOUR>. |
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==Trivia== |
==Trivia== |
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In the Cinderella fairy tale, the slippers were of glass, but some 19th century French writers thought it was a mistake and there were supposed to be made of vair ("verre", ''glass'', is a paronym). Fact is slippers are ''really'' made of glass, not of vair. Disney has it true. |
In the Cinderella fairy tale, the slippers were of glass, but some [[19th century]] French writers thought it was a mistake and there were supposed to be made of vair ("verre", ''[[glass]]'', is a paronym). Fact is slippers are ''really'' made of glass, not of vair. Disney has it true. |
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[[Category:Device heraldry]] |
[[Category:Device heraldry]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:18, 22 June 2007
Vair is one of the furs used as a tincture (colour) in heraldry. It's a hard-to-describe regular pattern of blue (azure) and white (argent). The pattern is supposed to resemble squirrel pelts sewn together in alternating colors. It is found in a variety of colours, and appears in different arrangements, each with its own name.
It goes back, as does ermine, to a fur highly prized by the potentates of the Middle Ages. The word vair is derived from the Middle English forms veir and vair�, meaning variegated fur (from the French vair, itself from the Latin varius, variegated).
The squirrel in question was apparently blue-grey on the back and white underneath, and was much used for the lining of cloaks. It was sewn together in alternating cup-shaped pieces of back and stomach fur, resulting in a pattern of grey-blue and grey-white which, when simplified in heraldic drawing and painting, became blue and white in alternating pieces. The species involved has never been accurately identified.
Vair 
Counter-vair 
Vair in pale 
Vair-en-pointe
In the oldest records vair is represented by means of straight horizontal lines alternating with vertical wavy or nebuly lines (sometimes blazoned as vair ond� or vair ancien).
A fur of other colours than argent and azure is referred to as vairy (or vair�) of <METAL> and <COLOUR>.
Trivia
In the Cinderella fairy tale, the slippers were of glass, but some 19th century French writers thought it was a mistake and there were supposed to be made of vair ("verre", glass, is a paronym). Fact is slippers are really made of glass, not of vair. Disney has it true.
