Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.8468
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The Royal Society mace
Date
1663
Object type
Material
Subject
Description
The silver-gilt mace was a gift from King Charles II in 1663. It is decorated with a running pattern of roses and thistles on the stem, and the embossed figures of a rose, harp, thistle and fleur-de-lys on the head, emblematic of England, Ireland, Scotland and France. The letters 'C.R.' denote Charles II, and an inscription on a shield at the base describes Charles as the Society's 'founder and patron'.
Associated place