Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Replica of Norfolk Mace

Artist Sam Rubenstein

Manufacturer Keystone Silver Company (American)

ArtistAfter Fuller White (English, active 1734–1773)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1952

MediumSterling silver

DimensionsOverall: 41 1/4 in. (104.8 cm)

InscribedOn mace: "Presented to the Norfolk Museum by the National Bank of Commerce March 12. 1952".

Credit LineReceived from the National Bank of Commerce, Norfolk, Virginia, thru Mr. John S. Alfriend, President

Object number52.43.1

Not on view

DescriptionCopy of the mace of Norfolk, Virginia. Casting and work supervised by Sam Rubenstein. Taken to the Jamestown Festival, May 12, 1958, for exhibition summer and maybe longer.

Label TextAfter Fuller White English, active 1734–1773 The Norfolk Mace, 1753 Sterling silver replica made ca. 1952 by Sam Rubenstein of the Keystone Silver Company When held by Norfolk’s mayor at public ceremonies, the Norfolk Mace signified that his colonial office was an extension of the British Crown’s prestige and power. One of London’s finest silversmiths designed the elaborate scepter, and Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor presented it to the city in 1753. Though decorated with King George II’s coat of arms, the mace became a focus of local civic pride, and it has been guarded fiercely whenever war or fire threatened Norfolk. Today it is the only municipal mace in the United States in the possession of the city for which it was commissioned. The original mace is on view in the Chrysler Museum, while the Norfolk History Museum presents a master replica created in 1952. Received from the National Bank of Commerce, Norfolk, through Mr. John S. Alfriend, President 52.43.1 Exhibition HistoryJamestown Festival "The Norfolk Rooms," Willoughby-Baylor House, Norfolk, VA, opened August 16, 2014.