Fireback With The Arms Of The Gouffier House (95x80 Cm)

Fireback, in original condition, with upper corners cut down, proof dating from the 18th or early 19th century, with the arms of the Gouffier house, a family of high French nobility, originally from Poitou since the 12th century, Dukes of Roannais and peers of France over five generations. An alliance is remarkable with William 1st (1435-1495) and Philippine de Montmorency, his second wife. Follows Artus 1st tutor of François 1st in 1506. We also mention Claude, son of the previous one (1501-1570) who through his five marriages acquired a numerous posterity and accumulated wealth and castles. Among the many properties, the Château d'Oiron in Deux-Sèvres, the work of the family, was erected by Artus 1er Gouffier de Boisy before 1519 and completed by his widow Hélène de Hangest, then rebuilt, 150 years later, by Marshal-Duke François d'Aubusson de La Feuillade acquired a dowry from his wife Charlotte Gouffier de Roannez. The shield, topped with a ducal crown and supported by two gryphons, is described as follows: Au 1 d'ermine plain, which is from Brittany. 2 Or with the cross Gules quartered by sixteen alerions Azure, which is from Montmorency. 3 Or with a chevron Gules accompanied by three azure eagles beaked and hung Gules which is from La Trémoille. At 4 ermine with two bars backed by gules, which is from Gaucourt. Over all, Or with three binoculars Sable placed in fess, which is by Gouffier. A little history on the alliances: Quartered at 1 which is from Brittany, by the second marriage of Claude with Françoise de Brosse-Penthièvre or Brosse-Bretagne in 1545, at 2 which is from Montmorency by the alliance of Guillaume 1st and Philippine de Montmorency in 1472, in 3 which of La Trémoille by the first marriage of Claude with Jacqueline de La Trémoille-Jonvelle in 1526, in 4 which is of Gaucourt by the marriage of Louis (grandson of Claude and Françoise his second wife) and Madeleine Gaucourt in 1631. Our latest photos: Watercolor with the arms of Claude Gouffier and Françoise Brosse-Bretagne, married in 1545 and the description of the escutcheons. This plaque was found in Autry-Issards in Allier, it comes from the ruins of the Saliens mill in Nébouzat in Auvergne. Its weight is 125 kg. Sources: - Généanet, Serge and Marie Goufier “essay on the original Gouffiers” - CARPENTIER H., Firebacks, First volume, F. DE NOBELE, Paris, 1967, page 309 No. 862. - BnF: Tapestry in diamond-patterned background, white, red and black, on which a tree bearing a motto “Hic terminus haeret” is embroidered. - Johannes Baptist Rietstap, Armorial Général, 1861, page 806. Thanks to Ms. Christine Chazeau for her research and her pugnacity. You can visit our site: www.claudeaugustin.com