Who designed the mace and why did they choose that design?
Detail of the Mace
DPS Auspic
Detail of the Mace
DPS Auspic
Description
A close-up of the gold-coated Mace used in the House of Representatives. The head of the Mace has the royal crown and the Australian Coat-of-Arms. There are also designs of wheat and fruit reflecting Australia’s agricultural industry, and other decorative designs.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.
Hi, thanks for your question.
The Mace used in the House of Representatives was a gift to the Australian Parliament from the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Parliament and King George VI in 1951, to mark the Jubilee Year – 50th anniversary – of Australia's Federation. It was made in London by Messrs. Garrard, goldsmiths to the monarchy in England.
When designing the Mace they consulted the Australian Parliament, who asked that it should resemble the Mace used by the British Parliament, which is also golden and topped with a royal crown.
Our Mace was designed to include symbols of Australian history and culture. The head of the Mace shows the Australian Coat of Arms, including a kangaroo and emu. There are also emblems for the 6 states of Australia. There is also corn, grain and rams’ heads, which the show the importance of agriculture to Australia’s economy.
The Mace is:
- 7.8kg
- 132 cm
- made of silver covered with gold.