19th-century Heraldic Seal – Arms Of The Clermont-tonnerre Family

A 19th-century seal depicting the arms of the Clermont-Tonnerre family and, on the other hand, the symbol of royalty: the fleur-de-lis. The complete arms of the Clermont-Tonnerre family are shown: gules, two silver keys in saltire. The shield is surmounted by a ducal coronet, itself topped by the papal tiara, accompanied by the motto: "Etiam si omnes te negaverint" ("If all, not me"). Two lions, one on the right and one on the left, support the shield. The crest is the coronet of a duke and peer, and the whole is placed on the mantle of a Peer of France. The name of this illustrious family appears at the top of the seal, and at the bottom the date "1109," which certainly refers to Sibaud I of Clermont, the first known lord of the House of Clermont-Tonnerre. He was the one who had the first Clermont castle built, at Chirens, north of Voiron (present-day Isère). He likely participated in the First Crusade. The reverse of the seal is richly decorated with a fleur-de-lis, emblem of royalty.