Fauteuil
Category
Furniture
Date
1745
Materials
Giltwood, wool and silk
Measurements
940 x 680 x 600 mm
Order this imageCollection
Chartwell, Kent
NT 1101003
Summary
One of a pair of Louis XV fauteuils (the other NT 1101004), carved and gilded, upholstered in petit point needlework with floral and landscape designs, c. 1745. Given to Sir Winston Churchill on the occasion of the conferment of the freedom of the City of Brighton, 3 October 1947.
Full description
Churchill had an early association with Brighton as he was educated at ‘The Misses Thompson’s Preparatory School’ in Hove between 1883 and 1885. Churchill received the Freedom of Brighton at Brighton Pavilion on 2 October 1947. The award was made during the Conservative Party’s conference in the town. The Times reported on 4 October 1947 that: “The conferment of its Freedom on Mr. Churchill to-day may well rank among the most memorable and enthusiastic civic occasions in the history of Brighton. The new freeman, as he left the council chamber of the town hall after the ceremony, expressed what Brighton felt towards him when he said, ‘I shall always carry with me most pleasant memories of this sun-lit day by the shining sea’. Later in the afternoon Mr. Churchill drove through Brighton in an open car, acknowledging the cheers of thousands of citizens along the route. … Mr. Churchill was admitted to the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of his ‘long and distinguished service to the British Commonwealth of nations’. At the public meeting later in the day he received a copy of the resolution conferring on him the freedom, inscribed on vellum, with a casket of Chinese jade, and as a further token of the good will of the burgesses a chair of the period of Louis XV.” In his speech he thanks the Mayor for “the beautiful jade casket which you have presented to me which I shall always keep as an heirloom and also for a very fine chair of ancient workmanship which will always be cherished by me and my wife and by those who come after us.” There is a 9-minute British Pathé film of the occasion – WSC can be seen taking the scroll and examining it, placing it in its box and then takes it out and replaces it twice more. In front of the box can be seen the jade incense burner. http://www.britishpathe.com/video/churchill-receives-freedom-of-brighton/query/Regiment
Provenance
given to WSC with the Freedom of the City of Brighton 3rd October 1947
Marks and inscriptions
"Corporation of Brighton on the occasion of the conferment of the Freedom of the Borough 3rd October 1947" (inscribed on plaque stored in the Muniment Room)