Lord Mayor's Chains and Badges
Lord Mayor's Chains and Badges
Sheffield has several historical artefacts that are used on ceremonial occasions.
The City Mace
The Mace was presented to the city by His Grace the Duke of Norfolk to commemorate him being the first Lord Mayor of Sheffield. It's made of hand-beaten silver and is 103cm long.
A mace represents the Royal Authority vested in the Lord Mayor and is carried at public occasions. The earliest maces were borne by Royal Sergeants at Arms and were actually weapons.
The mace was crafted in the Stamford Bridge Studios in London. However since it was made by 2 young craftsmen from Sheffield, it carries the Sheffield Assay mark.
Lord Mayor’s Chain
At the opening of the Paris Exhibition in 1855, the Mayor of Sheffield was refused a seat near the throne with the other Mayors because he did not have a badge of office. As a result, money was raised by public subscription and the chain was bought for £325 in 1856.
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield’s Chain of Office symbolises the industrial character of the city. It's made in 18-carat gold, weighing 1,555 grams. The ribbon, 27 chain links long, also holds the city’s motto.
Lady Mayoress’ Chain
The chain was presented to the city by Alderman George Senior JP on 9 November 1901 as a symbol of office for the Lady Mayoress. It is made in 18-carat gold and weighs 1,057 grams. The chain has 27 links, each engraved with the names of the past Lady Mayoresses.
The main part of the badge shows the Royal Arms, and, suspended by a chain of finely wrought white roses of Yorkshire, the Arms of the City. On the base are 3 white diamonds and a heart-shaped piece engraved ‘Title of Lord Mayor conferred by Royal Grant 12th July 1897’.
Lord Mayor’s Badge
The Lord Mayor, Harry P Marsh (1907 to 1908) presented a badge to the Corporation with a wish that it be retained at the Town Hall for use by the Lord Mayor at semi-state functions. It was made by Messrs Mappin and Webb in 18-carat gold.
In the centre is the Sheffield City Arms. It features an enamel and diamond setting. Amethysts and white Brazilian topaz form a border around it. At the top there's a visor and the lion rampant from the crest of the Duke of Norfolk. The city motto and Coat of Arms are included.
Deputy Lord Mayor's Badge
On 11 March 1960, Alderman Oliver S Holmes expressed his wish to gift a commemorative badge to the Corporation. This badge would mark the honour of being elected Lord Mayor in 1953 to 1954. The badge was made by Sheffield craftsmen. It features the enamelled Arms of the City of Sheffield, supported by figures of Thor and Vulcan, and the white rose of Yorkshire. It's inscribed with 'Deputy Lord Mayor' and the city motto.
Lady Mayoress’ Badge
At a meeting of the Lord Mayor's Advisory Committee on 25 June 1929 it was reported that in a number of other towns, a badge was provided for the Lady Mayoress to wear on semi-official occasions.
A tender prepared by Messrs Mappin and Webb for the supply of a gold and enamel badge costing £31 was accepted. The present Lady Mayoress’ Badge was purchased by the Corporation in 1976 after the loss of the original badge.
Lord Mayor’s Consort’s Badge
The Assay Office presented a badge of office to the city in May 2006 to be worn by the Lord Mayor’s Consort when attending civic engagements. Owen Waterhouse, Sheffield silversmith and designer, created the badge.
The badge features 12, 18-carat gold arrows that intersect with the Sheffield Coat of Arms. The central form was hand-turned from sterling silver and the Coat of Arms was etched on.
