Retort (heraldry)

The retort is a mean figure in heraldry .

Even the simple still used in the Middle Ages is one of the most important vessels used by alchemists and pharmacists. The representation as a heraldic figure follows the natural form. The long, downwardly curved tube of the piston, which tapers towards the end, determines the position in the coat of arms and should be mentioned in the description of the coat of arms . The color of the retort is mostly silver or gold. With the choice of the tinging , an attempt is made to represent the glass body of the retort in such a way that the content is also visible as a deviation in the coat of arms, if necessary. The piston filling can be of any heraldic color , but should have a contrast. The additional devices, such as stands, burners, etc., if in the coat of arms, should be mentioned.

Various cities have banned the retort from their coats of arms. Examples are Premnitz and Staßfurt .

As a symbol in paraheraldry (army, clubs, etc.), the retort is an often chosen symbol for the relationship to chemistry .

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  half-filled retort in Lenzing's coat of arms , pointing to the left

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  Two retorts in the shield head of Verreries-de-Moussans , pointing left

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  in the coat of arms of Burgkirchen an der Alz on a golden tripod

literature

• Walter Leonhard : The great book of heraldic art. Development - elements - motifs - design. License issue. Bechtermünz, Augsburg 2001, ISBN 3-8289-0768-7 , p. 275, image 8.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Heinz Machatschek, Karlheinz Blaschke, Gerhard Kehrer: Lexicon cities and coats of arms of the GDR. Verlag Enzyklopädie, Leipzig 1979, pp. 348, 422.

Web links

• Retort (Heraldry) in the Heraldry Wiki

Commons : Retort in Heraldry  - collection of images, videos and audio files