LB

Ceremonial Mace

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

This is the ceremonial mace, historically a symbol of authority and power, currently in use in  the Virginia House of Delegates. The mace is Edwardian-style in silver, with a 24 karat gold wash. It is reinforced with wood, and has four sections with designs of oak leaves, acorns, and flowers that resemble the Virginia state flower, the dogwood.

The mace was made in England in 1938 and passed through several owners before being purchased by an art dealer. It was purchased by the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation and presented to the House in 1974.  Each day that the House is in session, the mace is placed in the House chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.  When not in use, the mace is on display in the old hall of the House of Delegates.

John Marshall

Black And White Photography, Laurie, Photography

Chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marshall, who had almost no formal schooling and studied law for only six weeks, nevertheless remains the only judge in American history whose distinction as a statesman derived almost entirely from his judicial career. Following a diplomatic mission to France, he won election to Congress, where he supported President John Adams. Adams appointed him secretary of state and in 1801 chief justice, a position he held until death.