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Livery Hall

There is still some late seventeenth century carving in the Hall. Most of the heads under the windows are probably original as are the Coats of Arms in the west screen. The east screendates only from 1822 and the ceiling from 1932. This was installed to replace the old ceiling which was collapsing because of dry rot and death watch beetle. It was designed by Mr Alex Gale and modelled on a Wren ceiling at Winchester College. The Coats of Arms are those of Vintners who have served the office of Mayor or Lord Mayor of London. The sword rest is of undeniably early date, and waserected to accommodate theCity Sword when Sir Thomas Rawlinson dined at the Hall during his Mayoralty in 1705. It is still used for the City Sword when the Lord Mayor dines at the Hall. The chandeliers were bought from Oslers in 1874. The portraits are of Past Masters, three of whom served as Lord Mayor of London. Although the Hall was not badly damaged during the Second World War, the opportunity was taken afterwards to replace the Victorian stained glass and to eliminate some of the more obvious Victorian alterations. The ceiling was painted in its present colours in 1969. The alcove on the north side, now containing plate, was the original entrance to the Hall.

Some of the Plate is permanently displayed in alcoves. The latest acquisition is a collection of tastevins displayed to replicate the Company's coat of arms. The engraved window was given by Paul Wates to commemorate the partnership of his firm with the Company in the building of Vintners' Place, an office development which surrounds the Hall. The banners were carried in the Lord Mayoral procession of Sir Francis Truscott in 1879.

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