A large Sgraffito-technique Chelsea FC club crest roundel, suitable for use as a slate table top, measuring 107cm., 42in. in diameter This extraordin
£2,000 - £3,000
A large Sgraffito-technique Chelsea FC club crest roundel, suitable for use as a slate table top, measuring 107cm., 42in. in diameter This extraordinary one-off piece was owned by Raphael Djanogly OBE and was made at the time of the club's historic 1954-55 Championship winning season. The club crest which depicts an upright blue lion looking backwards and holding a staff was introduced under Ted Drake's management in 1953 as part of his modernisation plans for the club. Previously the club had adopted the Chelsea Pensioner as the focal point of the crest. The new crest was based on elements in the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea, together with the coat of arms of Viscount Chelsea (Club President at the time), while the staff came from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords of the Manor of Chelsea. The decoration has been applied by sgraffito, a technique whereby the top surface layer is scratched to reveal a colour beneath.