Leith Branch Reform Banner

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

50911

Title

Leith Branch Reform Banner

Description

One banner for the Joiners of Leith Union relating to the Reform Act of 1832. The banner is heavily painted fabric with painted decoration on both sides. The banner has a yellow wool border and red wool corded fringe at the top and bottom. The title scroll cartouche reads, 'LEITH, BRANCH', below in a sunburst is, 'REFORM'. The Centre panel features a background painting mainly of sky with clouds, and with the ocean including three masted ships sailing upon it. In the foreground on the shore stands Britannia, holding the Union Flag, and pointing to a cherub holding a flag saying, 'UNITY', who is being crowned with a laurel wreath by an angel holding a trumpet. In the lower right is a lion and a set of scales.

Date

1832

Size

114 x 93 cm

Location

The People's Story

Accession number

HH5810/98

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries ; The People's Story

The Rotten Boroughs were abolished in the 1832 Reform Act, and many other banners reported in the Scotsman on 11 August 1832 bore images of Britannia , sunbursts of Reform and Earl Grey being crowned with laurel wreaths.

The reverse of the banner features the word, 'REFORM' in a sunburst, surrounded by laurel leaves, Britannia, holding the union flag, is standing on a scroll with the words, 'ROTTON BOROUGHS EXTINCT', she is holding out a rolled scroll towards a bust of Earl Grey, who is being crowned with a laurel wreath by the angel, holding a trumpet. The bust is surrounded by laurel wreaths and at the foot of the pedestal is a lion The lining of the banner is blue wool twill weave.

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Related images

Related subjects

Events > Campaigns

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Politics

Religion > Religious gods and goddesses > Cherubs

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