^Lot 38 19th Century: Cork City Dinner Service hand painted plate

An interesting plate from a large dinner service set commissioned for the Lord Mayor of Cork’s Old Mansion House (now the Mercy Hospital) which was built in 1767. Decorated with symbols including: the Cap of Maintenance signifying the continuity of the Mayor and the Corporation; the Dart (at left and right) which was used in an annual ceremony whereby the Mayor, as Admiral of the Port defined the jurisdiction of Cork Harbour by throwing it off Blackrock Castle; the Mace and Sword are incorporated with the Dart; the Portcullis at the bottom was used to prevent ships entering the channel when the city was walled; the chain surrounding the coat of arms was presented by Queen Elizabeth in 1571 to Maguire Roche, Mayor of Cork. The Coat of Arms, representing King’s Old Castle and Queen’s Old Castle and a Ship, was designed by CR Payne.