Dating to circa 1700, this hand-carved stone relief plaque was once an architectural element at a chateau in Nice, France. The robust, nine-and-a-half-inch-thick stone, which is cream-colored, is roughly rectangular with a prominent coat of arms gracing the front.

A pair of well-detailed rampant and langued lions support a fessed shield emblazoned with two courant (running) greyhounds. The shape of the shield is typically associated with French heraldry from the 15th century, indicating that the coat of arms was from a well-established family. Above the escutcheon is a thick, closed crown embellished with jewels of varying depth. The lions are standing on a protruding ledge with a cavetto cornice and subtle fluting. Themes represented by the coat of arms include loyalty, courage, and vigilance (greyhounds), bravery, strength, and royalty (lions), and nobility (as indicated by the pearls and diamonds on the crown, which typically denote a Count or Baron in Western European heraldry). Our armorial relief chateau plaque would make a wonderful garden ornament or an architectural inset into an external wall.

CONDITION: Very good antique condition. Commensurate wear, such as minor losses, light age separations, and slight buildup.