Metal

Metal

Metal: (1.) The metals employed as tinctures in heraldry are two in number, that is say or and argent. See Tinctures.

(2.) Blocks of metal are frequently introduced into heraldry, and are called by different names, and are generally conventionally represented. We find ingots of gold, cakes of copper, blocks of tin, and pigs of lead. We also find a mineral named, viz. the calamine stone.

Argent, on a chevron between three mullets gules a crescent or; on a chief azure three ingots of gold palletwise, fretted with another in bend proper--WILSON, Sneaton, Castle, Yorkshire.

Azure, on a chevron engrailed three blocks[of metal] or, each charged with a cross of the second--HOBSON.

Ermine, three cakes of copper proper; on a chief gules a chamber[i.e. a chamber-piece] or--CHAMBERS, London, granted 1723.

Or, on a cross gules between four Cornish Choughs proper five blocks of tin marked with the letter W.--KNAPMAN, co. Devon.

Vert, on a fesse or between three doves close argent beaked and legged gules, each with an ear of wheat in the bill of the second, as many pigs of lead azure--GREENSMITH, Steeple Grange, co. Derby, granted 1714.

Two arms embowed proper, both hands holding a calamine stone argent spotted with red, yellow, and blue--Crest of the Society of MINERAL and BATTERY Works, incorporated 1568.