CeremonialSupplies.com has a prestigious selection of ceremonial keys. The honor of receiving a Key to the City is a variation of the Freedom of the City tradition that goes back to the middle ages, and perhaps even older, making the presentation of a Key to the City, an illustrious gift for the recipient. The origin of this tradition goes back to the times when cities had walls to protect the inhabitants and the belongings of a city from assaults by invaders, as well as keeping others within the confines of the city. These walled cities had gates that were open and guarded during the day, and were closed and locked at night. In those ancient times, trusted ambassadors or high functioning officials of the city's ruling government may have very well been conferred the trust of holding keys to the gate of the city, however the honor title itself, the Freedom of the City, was gifted with an ornately engraved box and represented the trust of the residents for the recipient to have the freedom to come and go at any time. Today, the symbolism behind a ceremonial key to the city award represents welcome and trust bestowed upon the receiver. CeremonialSupplies.com has a selection of ceremonial keys, including Key to the City award plaques that are elegant and worthy of the symbolism attached to this recognition. True to our name, we are the best one-stop online shop for crafted quality ceremonial products at budget friendly prices, and the Key to the City awards in our selection of ceremonial keys run from the Golden Key to the City, an 8" long ceremonial brass key with a golden finish with room for a printed seal of the city or a corporate logo on the bow of the key, to the Crystal Key Person Award, a 61/2" stone resin key that can be personalized with up to 2 lines of engraved text and logo, and a variety of Key to the City award plaques to choose from.
The Freedom of the City award was presented to esteemed residents of a community or town, or to dignitaries and other important persons who visited a city. This act stemmed from a medieval practice of granting freedom from serfdom to respected citizens, and which entitled the bearer to civil privileges. The presenting of Keys of the City was born from this honorary award. Historically, the origin of the ceremonial ritual of presenting someone with the keys of the city goes back to the 17th century and a print of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand, the son of the King of Spain and Portugal. He became Archbishop of Toledo, and later was made a Cardinal. There is a print from 1635 created after a painting by Antoon van den Heruvel, that depicts a scene of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand receiving the Keys of the City from the Virgin of Ghent. During the 17th century it was customary for painters to document triumphant and joyous entries into cities. A previous instance where keys to the city is featured, is located today in Rome's Sistine Chapel mural sized fresco painted by Pietro Perugino from 1480 - 1482 titled "Delivery of the Keys" or, "Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter" and depicts an allegorical scene of mystical depth. In 1702 there also appears to have been a historical occasion when the New York Mayor, Philip French, awarded the Freedom of the City to Viscount Edward Cornbury, an English aristocrat and politician who at the time, had been appointed under Queen Anne as Governor of New York and New Jersey. He arrived in New York on May 3, 1702 and received the Key to the City award.
Today the prestige of receiving a Key to the City award has the same honorable intention as it did in the past when symbolism was an appreciated part of a ceremony. Shop CeremonialSupplies.com for the perfect Key to the City award plaque on cherry wood and walnut finishes, that can be customized with a commemorative plate and a city seal. There's always someone in an organization, be it a local or national government official, a retiring chief, and others who have contributed as "key" people in development, growth, and prosperity. These important members of society deserve an award that is as honorable as the Key to the City, and at CeremonialSupplies.com we have the finest, hand crafted examples at prices you will love, and fast and efficient shipping wherever you are in the world. Have a question? Click here or call 877-373-4273 and speak with our attentive and knowledgeable Customer Service.