History of Heraldry insignia of rank

Any ideas ?

Movie: Arabesque Cast: Sophia Loren, Gregory Peck

Thank u; I was hoping that Sophia Loren, or Gregory Peck 'd
be wearing an Arabesque, or even better: describe its origin
and the reason that German Field Marshalls & General Officers
have worn them since the First World War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Generalfeldmarschall_Kragenspiegel.jpg





David

I think Napolean invaded Egypt and took a whole load of Egyptian relics including an oblisque. The Lovre has a glass pyramid.

David~

Here's what I've been able to find out.

From 1900 Prussian generals had worn ornate collar patches embroidered
in a style called Alt-Larisch, which had first been worn in the 18th
century by the 26th (älterer von Larisch) Infantry Regiment; the
Reichsheer and the Wehrmacht continued the tradition. These devices,
sometimes called Arabesken (arabesques), were embroidered in gold
bullion or golden synthetic Celleon on Hochrot (scarlet) backing.

I have seen it described as an ornamental gold tassel. The term
is a reference to the intricate designs often found in Moorish
architecture and design.

~George

A tassel; I see.
That 's more than I have been able to find.
I was trying to figure out whether it shows leaves on a tree or not.
I have no idea of the reason that field marshalls 'd wish to display
vegetation on their clothing, but then again, majors and lt. colonels do it in the US Army.
(Notice that silver is more valuable than gold in American rank insignia.)

Thanx for helping, George.
It surprizes me that the history of their symbology is so hard to ascertain.





David