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How are couped, erased, and caboshed animal heads different in heraldry?
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heraldry
Cylinder seal impression from the Akkadian period with a combat scene between a bearded hero and a bull-man and various beasts.
In heraldry, the terms couped, erased, and caboshed describe the specific manner in which an animal's head is depicted as a charge on a shield:
- Couped: The head is severed by a clean, straight line, typically showing a portion of the neck.1
- Erased: The head is severed by a jagged or uneven line, intended to represent a tearing motion rather than a clean cut.1
- Caboshed: The head is depicted facing forward (affronté) with no neck visible, appearing as if it has been cut off directly behind the ears or horns.21