Heraldic coat of arms from the late 18th century

A coat of arms from the late 18th century.
Carrara marble.
Measurements: 87 x 55 x 16 cm.

A heraldic shield crowned by a helmet and flanked by cannons and flags—elements commonly found in heraldic reliefs of the period. The inscription at the bottom reads “SIC ITUR AD ASTRA,” a Latin phrase meaning “thus one goes to the stars.”

The fact that it is carved from Carrara marble enhances the piece’s appeal, as this is the most prized sculptural material in the Western tradition. Its fine grain, luminosity, and chromatic purity allow for delicate carving and a high degree of detail, qualities that made it the preferred medium of the great sculptors since the Renaissance and a symbol of quality and prestige in monumental sculpture of the 18th and 19th centuries.