Mansion House collections
The Art Collection
Mansion House is home to The Harold Samuel Collection of Dutch and Flemish 17th century paintings and also to some fine sculptures.
The Collection is formed of 84 pieces and is perhaps the best of Dutch art in Britain. Lord Harold Samuel of Wych Cross, a wealthy property developer and entrepreneur, left it to the City of London in 1987.
Paintings
The Merry Lute player is the most famous painting in the collection, created by Frans Hals between 1624-28. This lively artwork features a life-size, half-length figure playing music in a theatrical costume. It gained significant attention when Lord Samuel purchased it at a New York auction in 1963, not only for its record price but also because it was the first time bidding was conducted by telephone from London.
A Young Woman Sewing by Nicolaes Maes (1655) depicts a young woman who has paused her lacemaking to sew, with packets of pins tucked behind her. She sits on a low dais, closer to the light from an unseen window, keeping her feet warm from the cold tiled floor. A map and painting adorn the wall behind her. Maes, trained in Rembrandt's studio, initially painted biblical scenes before specializing in intimate, refined portraits of domestic life.
Sculptures
The idea of adding marble statues to Mansion House emerged in 1850 during a banquet for Prince Albert. The Egyptian Hall was seen as lacking decoration, with temporary exhibits used for events. The General Purposes Committee proposed statues inspired by English poets, which were approved by the Court of Common Council. After a thorough selection process, the statues were installed in 1863. Each statue weighs about three-quarters of a ton and stands seven feet tall.
The Plate Collection
Mansion House boasts one of the world's largest and finest gold and silver plate collections. It features gifts and acquisitions by the Mayoralty and the City of London Corporation, used for ceremonies and events. The collection includes flagons, rosewater dishes, candelabra, cups, cigarette boxes, wine labels, cutlery, bowls, and vases.
Notable items include a speech timer from 1975 with three egg timers to limit speech length, a silver centrepiece from 1880 with a working compass, and Queen Victoria's knife and fork from her 1838 coronation banquet, returned to the Lord Mayor in 1936.
Here is a flavour of some of the star items
The Sword and Mace symbolise the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation's authority, granted by the monarch and parliament. Carried by the Swordbearer and Sergeant At Arms during ceremonies, the Mace, crafted in 1735 by John White, features a royal crown, orb, cross, and George III's royal arms. The State Sword, from the mid-17th century, has a pommel depicting Justice and Fame, with a red velvet sheath adorned with royal emblems and City arms. Additionally, there are four other swords: the Pearl Sword, Mourning Sword, Old Bailey Sword, and Mansion House Justice Room Sword.
The Pearl Sword Legend has it that Elizabeth I used it at the opening of the first Royal Exchange in 1571. The scabbard is adorned with over 2,500 pearls. Today, the sword is used when the reigning Sovereign visits the City of London. The Lord Mayor offers the sword to the Sovereign, who touches it, and then the Lord Mayor carries it aloft before the Monarch. This ceremony, once held at the City boundaries, now takes place at the Monarch's visiting location.
The Fire Cup of 1662 is the only example of City of London plate surviving the Great Fire of London of 1666 and is so named after its recovery from the flames at Guildhall. Originally this was a covered silver bowl given in 1580 by Robert Christopher a member of the Clothworkers Company but was reworked according to the fashion of the time into its present form in 1662.
The Collar of Esses Bequeathed by Sir John Aleyn, Lord Mayor in 1535, it is believed to have been part of Sir Thomas More's regalia. The gold portcullis resembles one painted by Hans Holbein, displayed at the Frick Gallery in New York. The collar features enamel roses, solid gold garter knots, and 'Esses.' The Diamond Badge showcases a cameo of the City arms, surrounded by the city motto in gold, blue enamel, and diamonds, with a gold wreath adorned with diamond-set roses, shamrocks, and thistles. The Lord Mayor wears a replica chain and badge for daily events.