I'm leaving, but where to?
Copy of the Lord Mayor's Chain of Office ("Travel Chain")
around 1973/74
Silver, gilt
Stadt Münster, Der Oberbürgermeister
Inscription on upper medallion: CITY OF MÜNSTER – 1861
Inscription on lower medallion: FREDERICK WILLIAM III FOUNDER OF THE
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE MDCCCVIII
In 1861, the Lord Mayor of Münster was granted the right to wear a golden chain of office. On display here is a copy made for use during travels.
The upper medallion features Paul with the coat of arms of the city of Münster. Paul is not only the patron saint of Münster's cathedral, but also of the city itself. The chains remain in use to this day.
The wearing of gold and silver chains of office was addressed as early as 1808 in the Prussian Municipal Code. Consequently, the lower and larger medallion bears the likeness of the then-King Frederick William III, along with the year 1808 (MDCCCVIII).
However, the Mayor of Münster was not granted the right to wear a gold chain of office until 1861. His successors in office had to repeatedly apply for this right until 1918; it was a personal privilege rather than one attached to the office of mayor itself.
The original chain was crafted by the goldsmith Christian Wortmann, while the medallion of King Frederick William III came from Berlin. The chain of office was completed in 1862. This replica of the original was created in the early 1970s—during the term of Mayor Werner Pirchalle (in office 1972–1984)—for use while traveling.
