Mayoral Chain

Thomas Hughes, who was Sydney's last Mayor (1902) and first Lord Mayor (1903), is immortalised in the Council Chamber in Sydney Town Hall. He played an important role in social reform and is remembered for helping to organise the Citizens' Vigilance Committee which worked with the NSW Government to control the outbreak of the plague epidemic. He served as chairman of the royal commission which proposed improvements to social welfare, town planning, and the beautification of the city of Sydney. His marble bust, which was presented to the citizens of Sydney in 1903 to celebrate his elevation to the lord mayoralty, was sculpted by Nelson Illingworth. A popular Sydney bohemian, Illingworth received his early training in modelling at Royal Doulton potteries (Lambeth) before setting up Denbrae Fine Art Pottery at Forest Lodge, Sydney.

(Image: Marble bust of Thomas Hughes by Nelson Illingworth, 1903, STHC 88-407 )

Made of red cedar, the Lord Mayor's Chair was an integral part of an elaborate decorative scheme for the Council Chamber in Sydney Town Hall. John Hennessey, assistant city architect, used the prevailing Aesthetic Movement style for inspiration and designed furniture and furnishings which incorporated popular motifs such as sunbursts, rosettes and fan-shapes. William Coleman and Sons, who crafted the furniture, carved some of these motifs into the Lord Mayor's Chair.

(Image: Mayoral chair, red cedar, 1883, STHC 88-402)

In 1908 the Royal College of Heralds granted the Municipal Council of Sydney the right to use armorial bearings as its official coat of arms. The arms of Sydney's first Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Hughes, were incorporated into the design. Hughes' arms have been retained in the new design which was introduced in 1996.

(Image: Grant of City Arms, 1908, STHC 88-388)