Argent 105249 225492543 2008-07-13T23:56:51Z EncycloPetey 474828 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/201.250.173.113|201.250.173.113]] ([[User talk:201.250.173.113|talk]]) to last version by VVVBot {{alternateuses}} [[Image:Heraldic_Shield_Argent.svg|right|122px|Argent tincture]] In [[heraldry]], '''argent''' is the [[tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of [[silver (color)|silver]], and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called "metals". It is very frequently depicted as [[white]] and usually considered interchangeable with it. In engravings and line drawings, regions to be tinctured argent are either left [[blank]], or may be indicated with the abbreviation '''ar.''' in them. The name derives from [[Latin]] ''argentum'', which derives from the Greek '''Αργυρος'', translated as [[silver]] or ''white [[metal]]''. The word ''argent'' had the same meaning in Old French [[blazon]], from which it passed into the English language. In some historical depictions of [[coat of arms|coats of arms]], a kind of silver leaf was applied to those parts of the device that were argent. Over time, the silver content of these depictions has [[tarnish]]ed and darkened. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish regions that were intended as argent from those that were [[sable (heraldry)|sable]]. The result is a false impression that the [[rule of tincture]] has been violated in cases where the argent was applied next to a dark colour, and where it now appears to be sable next to a dark colour from tarnishing. ==Argent and white== Arthur Charles Fox-Davies argued extensively in his [[book]] ''The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopaedia of Armory'' that, though extremely rare, the colour white existed as an independent tincture in heraldry separate from argent. He bases this in part on the "white [[label (heraldry)|label]]s" used to difference the arms of members of the [[British Royal Family]]. However, it has been argued that these could be regarded as "white labels proper", thus rendering white not a heraldic tincture.[http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/Forum/ShowMessage.asp?ID=2700] White does seem to be regarded as a different tincture from argent in [[Portuguese heraldry]], as evidenced by the arms of [http://www.fisicohomepage.hpg.ig.com.br/stc.htm municipal de Santiago do Cacém] in [[Portugal]], in which the white of the fallen Moor's clothing and the knight's horse is distinguished from the argent of the distant castle, and in the arms of the Logistical and Administrative Command of the [[Portuguese Air Force]]. Argent is said to represent the following: * Of jewels, the [[pearl]] * Of heavenly bodies, the [[Moon]] * Of metals, [[silver]] {{tincture}} ==See also== {{Wiktionary}} *[[Silver (color)|Silver]] *[[White]] [[Category:Heraldic tinctures]] [[Category:Silver]] [[ca:Argent (heràldica)]] [[es:Argén]] [[it:Argento (araldico)]] [[hu:Ezüst (heraldika)]] [[ja:アージェント (紋章学)]] [[oc:Argent (heraudica)]] [[pt:Argent (heráldica)]] [[ru:Argent]]