Image scanned from a 35mm slide and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

The Borough Banner of Norfolk, Virginia

Designer John James Crawley (American, 1784 - 1844)

Dateca. 1836

MediumPasse-partout, mahogany

DimensionsOverall: 69 1/2 x 48 in. (176.5 x 121.9 cm)
Overall, Frame: 84 x 64 in. (213.4 x 162.6 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of the City of Norfolk

Object number31.1.1

Terms

Norfolk, VA

On View

Not on view

DescriptionPasse-partout mounted in a heavy mahogany frame. One of the few City Banners in existence in this country. It was discovered by Walter H. Taylor III, in the attic of a city building. One side shows two women holding hands with the following motto above them "Deo Juvante Resurgam" and below them "Norfolk Borough Sept. 15, 1736". The other side shows a three masted ship in full sail with the motto "Speed the Ship" above it and "Norfolia Refforescens Sept. 15" below. Designed for the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Charter, September 15, 1836. It was carried in the parade by Thomas Newton, a descendant of George Newton, second Mayor of the Borough, who was "---Unanimously chosen Mayor of said Borough in the room of Samuel Boush, Esqr., lately deceased, who was appointed Mayor by the Charter---" at the first meeting of the Common Council, November 18, 1736. Restored by Katherine Ritchie about 1928, daughter of originator of method, Philadelphia, PA. The frame is held upright by a paneled base.

Label TextJohn Crawley (b. England 1784, active 1811-42) Borough Banner, 1836 Painted silk Collection Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of the City of Norfolk 31.1.1 This banner was first publicly displayed on September 15, 1836 when it was carried along with the Norfolk Mace in a parade to celebrate the centennial of Norfolk's establishment as a Borough. The three-masted ship on the front side symbolizes trade, the lifeblood of a seaport. "SPEED THE SHIP" is the maritime equivalent of the then popular farmer's motto, "Speed the plow: it feeds all." The Latin motto "NORFOLIA REFFORENS" may be translated as "Norfolk flourishing again." The other side of the flag shows a phoenix rising above two allegorical female figures with the Latin motto "DEO JUVANTE RESURGAM" -"God helping, I shall rise again" and "NORFOLK BOROUGH Sept 15 1736." Made during a period of economic stagnation, this banner expressed optimism in Norfolk's future. The artist, John Crawley, was primarily a portrait painter who traveled throughout the south and as far west as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seeking commissions. He periodically resided in Norfolk.