Sir Benjamin Oliver, fuller and mayor of Exeter

This portrait of Sir Benjamin Oliver, formerly part of the Guildhall collection, records the sitter in the fur-edged robes of the mayoralty, a position he enjoyed in 1670-1 the year before his death. Benjamin Oliver was one of the most successful and wealthiest fullers in Exeter. He was Master of the Fullers Guild in 1645-6. Youings’ classic study of the Exeter fullers demonstrated how some “became extremely wealthy and influential men”.