Object of the Month: June 2025

Apollo Plate

Plate Mintons Ltd, Staffordshire Bone China, 1874

Purchased from Mr C Parker.

Chosen by: Rex Wale, Collections Access Officer

This plate was made by the English ceramics company Mintons in 1874. It depicts the ancient Greek god of light, Phoebus Apollo, escorting the sun across the sky in his horse-drawn chariot.

The sun appears at its highest point in the sky between the 20 - 22 of June, resulting in extended daylight hours and the longest day of the year. We call this day the summer solstice, and it marks the start of the summer season.

The radiating sunburst pattern and lavish use of gold on the plate vividly express the warmth and

The Object of the Month can be seen in person throughout June at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.