The British Association of Oral Surgeons, established in 1962, was renamed the British Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 1985/86. The Association exists to promote the advancement of education, research and clinical practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the British Isles and to encourage and assist postgraduate education, training, study, research in the discipline. The original tie of the Association (20342.2 condition new) features multiple Association insignia taken from the Association's Coat of Arms. The insignia comprises two golden fleams, or ancient lancets, linked by a serpent, the heraldic symbol of wisdom and healing, in a nowed' (knotted) form to indicate unity and fellowship. The current tie of the Association is a dark blue tie with a single, centrally placed Association Coat of Arms (24166 - condition new).