Robe, Lord Mayor's robe

This robe was presented to the Museum by its former owner Sir Walter Henry Wilkin. The Lord Mayor has a number of ceremonial robes: a crimson velvet reception robe, worn only in the presence of the sovereign; the aldermanic scarlet and violet gowns worn at certain meetings of the Corporation and a plain black robe for mourning. This black and gold robe is the 'entertaining gown' worn on civic state occasions, when no members of the royal family are present.

The gown was made by Ede & Ravenscroft, a company founded in 1689, which is one of the major suppliers of ceremonial robes.

Wilkin was born in London in 1842. He worked for a short time as an undewriter at Lloyd's before training to become a Barrister and being called to the Bar by Middle Temple in June 1875. On the death of his father, Sir Walter succeeded his father as a yeast mearchant in Appold Street, EC2. For many years he was an officer in the 3rd Middlesex Artilellery Volunteers, retiring in 1869 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel and hon. colonel. In 1876 Wilkin became a Common Council man for Lime-street Ward and in 1888 he became the ward's alderman. He served as sheriff in 1892-3 and was knighted on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke of York an Princess May (later King George V and Queen Mary). According to The Times (obituary of 15 November 1922), Sir Wilkin's 'mayoralty in 1895-6 was uneventful', apart from a 'semi-official' visit by King Carlos I of Portugal to the City, after which Wilkin was promoted to be a K.C.M.G (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George). Sir Walter was a member of the Worshipful Company of Broders, the ancient guild of embroiders. He died on 13 November 1922.