Monograms, Crests and Emblems

Monograms

A monogram is a group of two or more letters, overlapping or intertwining one another to form a design or symbol. They usually represented the initials of the family’s or individual’s name.

Monograms were sometimes inlaid into the tops of boxes, personalising them for their owners, and could be accompanied by a crest, emblem, coronet or even crown. These monograms were then engraved to add extra decoration and definition, creating an almost three-dimensional effect.

Crests

A crest is a personalised symbolic design that is a component of an heraldic coat of arms. Within the design, a crest sits on top of the helmet. Crests can take the form of a crown, coronet, animal (either mythical or actual), plumage of feathers, or a wealth of other emblems.

The crest can represent alone as a simplified version of its full coat of arms.

Emblems

An emblem is a personalised symbolic design representing a nation, organisation, family or individual. Whilst similar to a crest, an emblem is not limited to heraldic usage.

An engraved brass 'arboreal' styled monogram from an antique jewellery box with Betjemann Patent 'Automatic' mechanism by Howell, James & Co.

An engraved brass ‘arboreal’ styled monogram from an antique jewellery box with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ mechanism by Howell, James & Co.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent 'Automatic' Mechanism by Howell, James & Co.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism by Howell, James & Co.

Engraved foliate wreath emblem encircling the initials 'M.B', from an antique jewellery box in coromandel with engraved brass inlay.

Engraved foliate wreath emblem encircling the initials ‘M.B’, from an antique jewellery box in coromandel with engraved brass inlay.

Magnificent Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Engraved Brass Inlay and Concealed Drawer.

Magnificent Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Engraved Brass Inlay and Concealed Drawer.

An engraved ‘F.G.C’ monogram beneath a marchioness’ coronet from an antique jewellery box in calamander by Asprey.

An engraved ‘F.G.C’ monogram beneath a marchioness’ coronet from an antique jewellery box in calamander by Asprey.

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander with Secret Wall Compartments, by Asprey.

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander with Secret Wall Compartments, by Asprey.

Engraved coat of arms from an antique jewellery box in flame mahogany.

Engraved coat of arms from an antique jewellery box in flame mahogany.

Antique Jewellery Box in Flame Mahogany.

Antique Jewellery Box in Flame Mahogany.

Engraved coat of arms crest from 1873, belonging to the Lamplugh family of Sutton, mounted on an antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent 'automatic' mechanism.

Engraved coat of arms crest from 1873, belonging to the Lamplugh family of Sutton, mounted on an antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘automatic’ mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent 'Automatic' Mechanism, Retailed by Henry William Bedford.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent ‘Automatic’ Mechanism, Retailed by Henry William Bedford.

A brass inlaid monogram forming the name 'Florence', from an antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent mechanism.

A brass inlaid monogram forming the name ‘Florence’, from an antique jewellery box in coromandel with Betjemann Patent mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by George Betjemann & Sons.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism, by George Betjemann & Sons.

Brass inlaid Freemasonic emblem taken from an antique jewellery box in rosewood.

Brass inlaid Freemasonic emblem taken from an antique jewellery box in rosewood.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Engraved Brass Inlay.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Engraved Brass Inlay.

An engraved 'S.Q' monogram beneath a marchioness' coronet belonging to the Marchioness of Queensberry.

An engraved ‘S.Q’ monogram beneath a marchioness’ coronet belonging to the Marchioness of Queensberry.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by C.F Hancock - A Wedding Present from the Marquess of Queensberry to the Marchioness of Queensberry.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel, Retailed by C.F Hancock – A Wedding Present from the Marquess of Queensberry to the Marchioness of Queensberry.

An engraved brass ‘C.F.T’ monogram mounted on an antique jewellery box in coromandel by George Betjemann & Sons.

An engraved brass ‘C.F.T’ monogram mounted on an antique jewellery box in coromandel by George Betjemann & Sons.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Betjemann Patent Mechanism.

An engraved symmetrical ‘A.M.P’ monogram beneath a baroness’ coronet from an antique jewellery box in coromandel, by Leuchars.

An engraved symmetrical ‘A.M.P’ monogram beneath a baroness’ coronet from an antique jewellery box in coromandel, by Leuchars.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Leuchars.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Leuchars.

A brass inlaid monogram from an antique jewellery box by Charles F. Hancock.

A brass inlaid monogram from an antique jewellery box by Charles F. Hancock.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Cantilever Mechanism by C.F Hancock.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Cantilever Mechanism by C.F Hancock.

An engraved solid silver monogram of entwined 'E's' mounted on an antique jewellery case in coromandel by William Leuchars.

An engraved solid silver monogram of entwined ‘E’s’ mounted on an antique jewellery case in coromandel by William Leuchars.

Large Antique Jewellery Case in Coromandel with Silver Mounted Monograms, by William Leuchars.

Large Antique Jewellery Case in Coromandel with Silver Mounted Monograms, by William Leuchars.

Mounted solid gold monogram from an antique silver-gilt dressing case fitting.

Mounted solid gold monogram from an antique silver-gilt dressing case fitting.

Engraved crest badge from an antique officer’s box in Cuban mahogany, by David Edwards.

Engraved crest badge from an antique officer’s box in Cuban mahogany, by David Edwards.

Antique Officer’s Box in Cuban Mahogany, by David Edwards.

Antique Officer’s Box in Cuban Mahogany, by David Edwards.