Lot 86: A Collection of British Royal Commemorative Mugs and Boxed Examples
A collection of glazed earthenware and fine bone china royal commemorative mugs spanning multiple British reigns from the early 20th century to 2023. The assortment includes approximately fourteen loose mugs and two boxed examples. The mugs feature a variety of forms including straight-sided tankards, flared pedestal bases, and handles ranging from simple C-scrolls to squared angular designs. Decoration is primarily achieved through polychrome and monochrome transfer-printing, depicting royal portraits, coats of arms, the Union Jack, the Royal Standard, and floral emblems including the rose, thistle, shamrock, and daffodil. Several examples feature gilded rims.
Key items identified by visible inscriptions include a flared 1902 souvenir mug for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, a George V and Queen Mary silver jubilee mug, a 1937 coronation mug for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth featuring the Order of the Garter motto, and a 1953 coronation mug for Queen Elizabeth II. Later pieces include a large Silver Jubilee mug and a monochrome black transfer-printed Diamond Jubilee mug.
The collection includes two boxed items: one blue box for a King Charles III 2023 coronation mug and a white and purple window box for a fine bone china mug featuring Queen Elizabeth II. The base of this box bears a printed address ending in LTD DA1 1JQ UK. A small orange adhesive label reading 84 is attached to this box. Several mugs have small white adhesive labels with printed numbers including 4 and 7. Another orange adhesive label is visible on a gold-coloured vessel in the background. Bases of the individual mugs are not visible, and no manufacturer marks are legible on the ceramic bodies from the provided angle.
Condition report:
The collection shows varying degrees of age-related wear. Extensive surface crazing is visible on the older pieces, most notably on the 1902 flared souvenir mug (left) and the George V jubilee mug (centre). The 1902 mug also shows some surface grime around the base. Minor rubbing and wear are present on the gilded rims of the 1953 and 1937 coronation mugs. The modern boxed items appear to be in their original packaging, which shows minor shelf wear and remains of adhesive labels. No significant chips or cracks are visible to the rims or handles from the primary photograph.
Share this lot: