Our Heritage
Conserving our treasures for future generations to enjoy
The Skinners’ Company holds unique and nationally important treasures which need to be protected and maintained.
The Skinners Heritage Foundation plays a key role in the custodianship and curation of these artifacts, bringing their existence to the attention of the wider public and enabling a deeper understanding of their significance.
In 1599, Skinner Sir William Cockayne died and bequeathed £120 for the manufacture of five ‘loving cups’ in the form of Cockerels.
Ever since the cups came into the Company’s possession, they have been used at the election banquet as per Cockayne’s bequest. Luckily, all five were saved from The Great Fire and are still used to this day in the Cocks and Caps Ceremony at the annual Election Dinner.
In 1579, Dutch artist Cornelis Ketel produced a series of 14 paintings of the Smythe Family, 9 of which hang in the Committee Room at Skinners’ Hall. They are the earliest known portraits of a non-nobility family and include three of the Skinners’ most important benefactors - Thomas Customer Smythe, Alice Smythe (née Judde) and Thomas Smythe.
Sir Frank Brangwyn produced four panels for the corner of the hall which form separate murals entitled ‘Education’ and ‘Charity’.
The Master’s badge was commissioned in 1874. It features the Company’s coat of arms with helmet above in striking blue, framed by 64 diamonds and 40 rubies. A roundel at the base displays ‘1327’, the year of our first charter. It is worn by the Master each year at Company events.
In 1599, Skinner Sir William Cockayne died and bequeathed £120 for the manufacture of five ‘loving cups’ in the form of Cockerels. Ever since the cups came into the Company’s possession, they have been used at the election banquet as per Cockayne’s bequest. Luckily, all five were saved from The Great Fire and are still used to this day in the Cocks and Caps Ceremony at the annual Election Dinner.
In 1599, Skinner Sir William Cockayne died and bequeathed £120 for the manufacture of five ‘loving cups’ in the form of Cockerels. Ever since the cups came into the Company’s possession, they have been used at the election banquet as per Cockayne’s bequest. Luckily, all five were saved from The Great Fire and are still used to this day in the Cocks and Caps Ceremony at the annual Election Dinner.
In 1599, Skinner Sir William Cockayne died and bequeathed £120 for the manufacture of five ‘loving cups’ in the form of Cockerels.
Ever since the cups came into the Company’s possession, they have been used at the election banquet as per Cockayne’s bequest. Luckily, all five were saved from The Great Fire and are still used to this day in the Cocks and Caps Ceremony at the annual Election Dinner.
In 1579, Dutch artist Cornelis Ketel produced a series of 14 paintings of the Smythe Family, 9 of which hang in the Committee Room at Skinners’ Hall. They are the earliest known portraits of a non-nobility family and include three of the Skinners’ most important benefactors - Thomas Customer Smythe, Alice Smythe (née Judde) and Thomas Smythe.
The Skinners' Company commissions Sir Frank Brangwyn to produce 4 additional panels for the corner of the hall not completed until 1937. The 4 panels form two separate murals are entitled 'Education' and Charity'.
The Master’s badge was commissioned in 1874. It features the Company’s coat of arms with helmet above in striking blue, framed by 64 diamonds and 40 rubies. A roundel at the base displays ‘1327’, the year of our first charter. It is worn by the Master each year at Company events.