Lot 192: A GILT METAL COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIAL FINIAL FOR THE 1867 VISIT OF OTTOMAN SULTAN ABDULAZIZ TO THE CITY OF LONDON

A GILT METAL COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIAL FINIAL FOR THE 1867 VISIT OF OTTOMAN SULTAN ABDULAZIZ TO THE CITY OF LONDON

This commemorative gilt metal finial was produced for the Special Reception Committee at the Guildhall to mark the historic 1867 visit of Sultan Abdülaziz of the Ottoman Empire to the City of London. The piece is constructed from cast brass or bronze with fire-gilding and is surmounted by a three-dimensional crescent moon and five-pointed star, the primary emblem of the Ottoman Empire. Positioned below the crescent is the coat of arms of the City of London, featuring two supporting dragons flanking a central shield charged with the Cross of St George and the sword of St Paul. The shield is set within a circular medallion inscribed GUILDHALL in the upper arc and 1867 at the base. Beneath the armorial group is a tripartite flowing ribbon inscribed with the motto DOMINE DIRIGE NOS. A secondary, larger ribbon situated at the base of the cast section bears the words SPECIAL RECEPTION COMMITTEE in raised lettering. The assembly is mounted upon a hollow cylindrical mounting tube which features an engraved inscription in cursive script. This inscription is legible as H. Lowman Taylor Esqre above the word CHAIRMAN. The finial is presented on a modern black rectangular display base.

H: 13.5cm