Livery collar

The chain of office is a decorated with medals, coats of arms images and emblems heavy necklace of precious metals, which Amtsinsignium and thus part of the official costume of mayors, representing the part of other high city officials and university rectors. Chains of office are worn on special occasions.

Description

The chains of office of mayors, as they still exist today date back to the 19th century. You can silver-plated steel, solid silver, silver-gilt and exist in very rare cases made ​​of solid gold. The nature of the chain depends - depending on regulation - among others, the size of the city and their meaning from. Attached and incorporated are relevant symbols of the city or university, coat of arms and portraits of important personalities on medals. The chain itself can consist of round, oval or rectangular plate elements that give it a band-like appearance ( chain of office of Salzgitter). It is supported chain around the jacket or suit collar or over both shoulders the middle of the corresponding ( Office ) clothing. For storage samtausgeschlagene caskets are provided which contain often the indication of the manufacturer.

Chain of office - symbol and insignia

The chain of office worn on occasion - and protocol- compliant clothing, legitimizes the carrier for what it as incumbent is and represents ( as mayor ) to be the first citizen and representative of his town or ( Rector ) of the first members and officials of the University. Chains of office are so insignia urban or university self-government and independence. They are for the carrier and the incumbent, which are crown and crozier for secular rulers and high church dignitaries.

The chain of office of the Mayor of Bonn - since 1895 third Rhenish- Prussian City to Dusseldorf and Duisburg with this Insignia - for example, contains seven medals, two with the coat of arms (front (with crown) and rear one each ), one with the image of the founder the City Ordinance king Friedrich Wilhelm III. with crown, two with the national coat of arms, and one each with the portraits of Ludwig van Beethoven and the barons of the stone along the lines of Duisburg chain of office. Other chains of office, like that of Stralsund, contain no imperial symbolism, but underline the independence of this Hanseatic city and its city status in 1234 by the Prince of Rügen ( Wizlaw I. ).

History

Rectors of universities

Local politicians in Prussia

On November 19, 1808, the order for all the cities of the Prussian Monarchy ( Prussian city order ) by Heinrich Friedrich Karl baron vom und zum Stein was adopted, was in the features even for city council, municipal council members and mayors that " in major cities in the exercise of their duties gold medals in golden chains " were to wear. King Frederick William IV of Prussia clarified in a decree of 1840 the guidelines for the design of the chains and medals. More concerning appearance and ceremony followed in 1847 and 1851.

Lord Mayor of London

The Lord Mayor of London wearing chain of office as the Collar of SS The chain consists of 28 gold, s- shaped members whose meaning is unknown. It is assumed that the chain belonged to Sir Thomas More and was taken from him before his execution in 1535. More practiced in addition to several other functions of the office of Lord Mayor, which is why the chain is now available to this office.

Sir Thomas More with the Collar of SS

Graphic of a Lord Mayor of London in official costume, including chain