1993 - 'THE SEDAN CHAIR IN MALTA'
              'Is-Suggetta'

The Maltese Sedan Chair is the subject of a curious tradition, which has been put forward by some historians as a likely cause of survival of at least twenty chairs; eighteen of these were displayed in this unique exhibition.

It is documented that the Chair illustrated here was donated to the parish church of St Paul 'fuori le mura' in Rabat during July 1776 "on condition that it be used for the Holy Viaticum in rainy weather". The donor was the Vice Chancellor of the Order, Fra Giovanni Pellerano. Hence the lore that members of the Orders hierarchy bequeathed their personal Sedan Chair to the Church; however this is not an unique anecdote, there are at least two other recordings in a similar vein. This, the second Patrimonju exhibition, was held in the John A Cauchi Hall of the Cathedral Museum, Mdina, during May 1993.

A full colour illustrated catalogue raisonne was published to complement the exhibition.

 

Rear view of a Sedan Chair, belonging to Bali Fra Victor Nichlos de Vachon Belmont, The Captain - General of the Galleys of the Order of the Knights of St. John. Maltese 18th cent.Detail of a Sedan Chair bearing the coat of arms of the Grand Master Nichlos Cotoner (1663 - 1680) Maltese 18th centFront View of a Sedan Chair, belonging to Bishop Fra Giovanni Carmelo Pellerano (1770 - 1780), Vice Chancellor of the Order, Maltese 18th cent.General view of 'The Sedan Chair in Malta' exhibition held at the Cathedral Museum, Mdina, Malta