Territorial Heraldic Symbols from Austrian-ruled Oltenia (1718-1739)

An allegorical composition depicted on the map of Oltenia drawn by engineer Friedrich Schwantz von Springfeld in 1723 nods to the heraldic insignia of the Oltenian counties.

Heraldic fragment from Tabula Valachiæ Cis-alutanæ, 1723

Of note is the basket of fruits (referring to the coat of arms of Vâlcea County), the stag (from the coat of arms of Gorj County), the fish (from the coat of arms of Dolj County), the wheat sheaves (from the coat of arms of Romanați County), and the beehive (referring to the coat of arms of Mehedinți County).

The basket (here a carriage) in the coat of arms of Vâlcea County, Almanahul Român pe anul 1866, 1865

The stag in the coat of arms of Gorj County, Almanahul Român pe anul 1866, 1865

The fish in the coat of arms of Dolj County, Almanahul Român pe anul 1866, 1865

The wheat sheaves in the coat of arms of Romanați County, Almanahul Român pe anul 1866, 1865

The beehive (here a bee) in the coat of arms of Mehedinți County, Almanahul Român pe anul 1866, 1865

In his work Description of Oltenia, Schwanz noted:

“...His Excellency the General Field Marshal Count de Stainville chose for each county its own coat of arms, which is linked to its distinctive features...”. Schwanz further explains the symbols: the fruit tree of Vâlcea County – “...because there are many fruit trees there...”; the stag of Gorj County – “...because hunting provides abundant game...”; the fish of Dolj County – “...due to the abundance of valuable fisheries...”; the wheat sheaves of Romanați County and the beehive of Mehedinți County – “...to demonstrate the abundance of crops and the great benefit derived from beekeeping...”.