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The Mace

The Serjeant-at-Arms is the Custodian of the Mace. The Mace is an essential part of the regalia of parliament. Without it the House is not constituted and no proceedings may take place.

The Mace is the symbol of the royal authority and, in consequence, of the authority of parliament. In parliament it further symbolizes the authority of the Speaker.

The Serjeant-at-Arms will rest the Mace in the upper brackets of the Clerk’s dais while the Speaker is in the Chair (the orb and cross surmounting it pointing towards the Government of the day). The Serjeant will rest the Mace on the lower brackets when the House is in Committee and the Speaker takes the chair at the Clerk’s dais.

The Mace was presented to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 20 November 1974 by the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Cayman) Limited at a cost of approximately $1,960.

The top of the Mace features an orb and a Maltese cross inlaid with turtle shell. Other symbols at the top are the Royal Arms, the Cayman Islands Crest, and the inscription ‘EIIR’, symbolizing Regina (Queen) Elizabeth II.

In 2003 the Mace underwent restoration work that was carried out locally by Tropical Metals. The work entailed dissembling the multi-faceted item, cleaning each piece, applying a metal-treatment finish, and final reassembly.

Coinciding with the restoration of the Mace, its holding case underwent a similar overhaul at the hands of Mr. Ransdale Rankine, an inmate at HM Prison Northward. The mahogany case is lined in blue velvet. Mr. Rankin, who is a carpenter by trade, was assisted by fellow inmate Tex Foster. The work entailed sanding and stripping the wood, repairing cracked areas, and applying a final coat of gloss varnish.

Last Updated: 2007-08-13