Rare Italian 17th Century Coat-of-arms/crest Pillow #2

Rare 17th century Italian coat-of-arms/crest featuring what’s called a “Bend Sinister” with drops. As the shield would have been carried with the design facing outwards from the bearer, the bend sinister would slant in the same direction a sash worn diagonally on the left shoulder. Sinister comes from the Latin for left. The bend sinister has been used as a mark of illegitimacy though not in a negative way. The bend sinister is called a charge laying on a field of white silk representing peace and sincerity. The rare blue metal threads represent truth and loyalty. The banner above has the initials WT and represents a reward for valiant service. The crest is hand couched/sewn on light taupe colored designer silk velvet. Edged with an 18th century gold metal thread and silk galon/trim, with an 18th century metal fringe that has patina. Finished off with a 19th century German copper colored cording around the edges and all down insert.  

Condition: The white silk ground has light soiling but nothing that deters from it’s beauty. Some silver metal thread design above and below the bend is gone but consistent with a piece this age.   

Further History: Coats of arms, first used by knights, are typically simple in design. They were established in the Middle Ages to identify a warrior when in full armor. When the warrior died the crest was often passed down to a son or son-in-law with some design variation and then re-registered for a single person but not family. Crests are never family crests. Crests are typically from nobility and high-ranking priests and are notable for their crowns and much ornamentation. Crests for Barons have crowns but are typically simple 3-pointed crowns.