The Honour and Grandeur

This new book will present over 80 of the finest and most historic pieces. New photography will be accompanied by full details and a commentary. Starting with the unique medieval Crystal Sceptre of 1420, seen only at the inauguration of the Lord Mayor and at Coronations, the regalia includes several famous items, notably the sixteenth-century gold and enamel Chain of SS, the great Mace of 1735–36 and the Pearl Sword, carried before the Sovereign on visits to the City. The silver-gilt and silver, used constantly during the year, includes pieces by some of the greatest names of English silversmithing – Paul de Lamerie and Paul Storr, for example – but also by rarer more modern masters – Latino Movio and Omar Ramsden – masterpieces previously completely unknown to silver historians. 00Though intended to introduce the collection – as well as the history of the Lord Mayors, the City guilds and Mansion House itself, and the formation of the collection – to a broad audience, the book will be of interest to specialists in silver, who will discover many masterpieces of style and technique.