Helena Gumley
Head of Sale Carpets and Tapestries
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Lot 359
The Property of a Nobleman: A Ceremonial Dress Robe for a Lieutenant of Corporation of the City of Londoncirca 1913
18 – 19 April 2023, 10:00 BST
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £1,275 inc. premium
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The Property of a Nobleman: A Ceremonial Dress Robe for a Lieutenant of Corporation of the City of London
circa 1913
Comprising a bicorn hat with red and white plumage, brilliant scarlet coat with metal-thread-embroidered decoration, with stiff collar and metal cord epaulettes, with typical trousers, and Dress sword, probably regulation pattern, with ivory grip and gilt bronze mounted, the shell guard with white-metal applied arms of the City of London, with accompanying oil-skin sword case, the suite presented in a long metal trunk
(Qty)
Comprising a bicorn hat with red and white plumage, brilliant scarlet coat with metal-thread-embroidered decoration, with stiff collar and metal cord epaulettes, with typical trousers, and Dress sword, probably regulation pattern, with ivory grip and gilt bronze mounted, the shell guard with white-metal applied arms of the City of London, with accompanying oil-skin sword case, the suite presented in a long metal trunk
(Qty)
Footnotes
Provenance: Walter Cunliffe Esq (1855-1920), Governor of the Bank of England (1913-1918), and by descent
Walter Cunliffe was appointed an Ex-Officio Lieutenant of the City of London Corporation in recognition of his bank governorship. The metal trunk, in which the robe is contained, is named for Walter Cunliffe Esq thus pre-dating his elevation to the peerage in 1914 as the first Baron Cunliffe, of Headley.
His Majesty's Commission of Lieutenancy for the City of London is unique in that it is the only Lieutenancy in the country which includes some ex- officio members, and all members are specifically appointed by the Crown as Lieutenants within the City of London with no Lord Lieutenant or Deputy Lieutenants as such, unlike the practice elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
The ex-officio appointees are: The Lord Mayor, who presides, primus inter pares; Past Lord Mayors who are still Aldermen; The senior Alderman below the Chair; The Recorder of London; The Common Serjeant; The Governor of the Bank of England; The head of another major financial institution; The Commissioner of the City of London Police; and The Chairman of the City of London Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association.
As an ex-officio appointment, the status as a Lieutenant of the City of London ceases when the holder no longer occupies any of the offices above.