The crest came before the standard.
While the emperor flew the dragon, the territory itself carried an older emblem: the owl. It appears in the World Geography published in Paris in 1676, where the article on Tartary is preceded by the image of an owl on a shield — the heraldic device of the land, set down in the geographic record more than three centuries ago.
This is that emblem, rendered in faithful engraving style — the owl forward-facing, perched, talons gripping, in the manner of the period sources. No embellishment, no invention. The crest of Tartary as the old geographies recorded it, on a field of gold.
It is the quieter of the two Tartarian emblems. The one that stood for the place rather than the ruler. For those who prefer the territory to the throne.
Details:
• 100% polyester
• Knitted fabric
• Fabric weight: 4.42 oz/yd² (150 g/m²)
• Print on one side
• Blank reverse side
• 2 brass grommets for hanging
• Drawn from the 1676 Paris World Geography
Part of the Etherfolk Tartaria Collection.
The dragon ruled. The owl watched.
The crest came before the standard.
While the emperor flew the dragon, the territory itself carried an older emblem: the owl. It appears in the World Geography published in Paris in 1676, where the article on Tartary is preceded by the image of an owl on a shield — the heraldic device of the land, set down in the geographic record more than three centuries ago.
This is that emblem, rendered in faithful engraving style — the owl forward-facing, perched, talons gripping, in the manner of the period sources. No embellishment, no invention. The crest of Tartary as the old geographies recorded it, on a field of gold.
It is the quieter of the two Tartarian emblems. The one that stood for the place rather than the ruler. For those who prefer the territory to the throne.
Details:
• 100% polyester
• Knitted fabric
• Fabric weight: 4.42 oz/yd² (150 g/m²)
• Print on one side
• Blank reverse side
• 2 brass grommets for hanging
• Drawn from the 1676 Paris World Geography
Part of the Etherfolk Tartaria Collection.
The dragon ruled. The owl watched.