Oettle tartans

**Mike_Oettle** · 24th August 10, 09:11 AM

This is an introduction to three personal tartans I have designed on Scotweb.
All are based on my coat of arms. It is an adaptation of the arms used by my Oettle ancestors (from Württemberg) for centuries, but actually belonging to a family surnamed Oettel, from Franconia.
I kept the field division and colours. The unicorn, instead of being restricted to the red field, is overall. Instead of six stars (three in each blue field) there are now only three. And the stars are estoiles (with wavy arms), unlike the original.
This shield comes from a painting by Ton de Witte, but I have brightened the colours.

For the basic tartan, I used brown to symbolise the South African veld. Blue and red are the field colours, the white represents the unicorn, and the three yellow stripes represent the stars (estoiles).
(Apologies for the large images. I will endeavour to reduce them – had no idea they would be this big.)

Next I removed the brown and replaced it with white to create an arisaid.

Then, after finding that I was particularly fond of setts using both dark and light blue, I designed this as a dress tartan:

The Scottish Register of Tartans accepted the first two for registration, but lacking the funds to pay the fee, I withdrew the application.
I hope to have them all woven in due course.
Regards,
Mike

**Cygnus** · 24th August 10, 10:05 AM

Mike,

These are very nice - I always enjoy seeing your tartans on the Scotweb site and am especially fond of the last one with the bright blue.

Just out of curiosity, what is the standard fee for registering a tartan?

**Mike_Oettle** · 24th August 10, 11:43 AM

Thanks, Cygnus, for your gracious compliment.
The fee is £70, which translates (at today’s rates) to $108.20.
Unfortunately for me, I will have to pay £85 when I reapply ($131,38).
Regards,
Mike

**Cygnus** · 24th August 10, 11:56 AM

Thank you, Mike - I'll make sure I have that amount tucked away somewhere if I choose to register any of my designs!

**Mike_Oettle** · 8th January 11, 12:31 PM

Here is a further development of my family sett, using dark scarlet instead of pale blue as the ground colour. I rather like it:

Like the earlier designs, this was done on Scotweb [www.scotweb.co.uk]. I hope to have them weave it one day and make it up as a kilt.
Regards,
Mike

**BoldHighlander** · 8th January 11, 05:51 PM

I can't wait to see them as an actual tartan / kilt, Mike! Nice job!

**CMcG** · 8th January 11, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

Here is a further development of my family sett, using dark scarlet instead of pale blue as the ground colour. I rather like it:
<snip>

Overall, I like the balance of the threadcount in this sett.

On my screen though, the red ground looks the same as the red in the central band (under the three yellow lines). I think it loses some of the effective contrast of the earlier versions. Was that your intent?

**davidlpope** · 8th January 11, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mike_Oettle

All are based on my coat of arms. It is an adaptation of the arms used by my Oettle ancestors (from Württemberg) for centuries, but actually belonging to a family surnamed Oettel, from Franconia.
I kept the field division and colours. The unicorn, instead of being restricted to the red field, is overall. Instead of six stars (three in each blue field) there are now only three. And the stars are estoiles (with wavy arms), unlike the original.
This shield comes from a painting by Ton de Witte, but I have brightened the colours.

Mike,

It would be a bit OT for this thread, but do you mind starting a new thread that outlines the process for having arms granted in South Africa? I've researched this process on the SA Bureau of Heraldry's website, but it would be greatly appreciated to hear it first hand from a South African- how long the wait was, how much the heralds changed your suggested blazon, etc.

Cordially,

David

**Mike_Oettle** · 9th January 11, 10:24 AM

Hi, CMcG – that blurring of the distinction between the two reds seems to be occurring on my screeen as well, but I deliberately chose a darker one for the ground colour because the sett lacked a certain zing when I tried a version using the same red.
I will no doubt have to wait until I can afford a custom weave or two . . . or three. One can dream . . .

David, while my own arms are not currently registered, I have seen two coats of arms through the registration process, and will gladly start a new thread on the lines you propose.
Regards,
Mike