Chapeau

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Chapeau is a French term signifying a hat or other covering for the head.

In a metaphorical meaning, Chapeau! is an internationally used exclamation to express respect to a personality encountered (historically, persons of status up to the first half of 20th century wore hats that were lifted to greet respectfully).[1]

Overview[]

Coat of arms of Cardinal Lorenzo Antonetti, with a galero at the top

In European ecclesiastical heraldry, it is used as a mark of ecclesiastical dignity, especially that of cardinals, where it is called the red chapeau. It is worn over the shield by way of crest, as mitres and coronets are. A galero chapeau is flat, very narrow atop, but with a broad brim, adorned with long silken strings interlaced; suspended from within with rows of tassels, called by the Italians fiocchi, increasing in number as they come lower. The hat was given to them by Innocent IV in 1250, but was not used in arms till the year 1300. Until that time, the cardinals were represented with mitres. Archbishops and patriarchs bore a green hat, with four rows of tassels; bishops wore the same color, but with three; abbots and apostolical prothonotaries with two.

The chapeau is also sometimes used as a mark of secular dignity, such as a cap or coronet armed with ermine, worn by dukes, etc. The crest is borne on the chapeau, and by the chapeau the crest and armorial shield are separated, it being a rule that no crest should touch the shield immediately.

Cartoon showing a chapeau-bras (collapsible bicorne) under the arm

Some forms of bicorne were designed to be folded flat, so that they could be conveniently tucked underneath the arm when not being worn. A bicorne of this style is also known as a chapeau-bras or chapeau-de-bras (literally "arm-hat").

"Chapeau!" is often used as a generic expression of approval and appreciation in France and other parts of Europe; much like the English expression "hats off!", it is a verbal equivalent of removing one's hat as a sign of admiration or respect.

Anglophone heraldries[]

Scottish heraldic chapeau azure

In the Anglophone heraldries, a "chapeau" or cap of maintenance is a specific kind of hat.[2] It occurs as a charge, but also more importantly as an exterior ornament, signifying rank.

The use of the chapeau in English heraldry is not as clear cut and regulated as in Scottish heraldry.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ compare ironical song title You Can Leave Your Hat On by Randy Newman, popularized worldwide by Joe Cocker
  2. ^ See for example the pictures and verbal descriptions in the introduction to the Lyon Court 'Information leaflet Number 2 - Crest Badges'; and examples in the coats of The Convention of The Baronage of Scotland Archived 2011-02-08 at the Wayback Machine and of Failsworth Urban District Council in England.

Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChambers, Ephraim, ed. (1728). Cyclopædia, or an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1st ed.). James and John Knapton, et al. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links[]

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