Object of the Month: May 2023

Chosen by: The Collections Team

Collection: Social History

Object Name: Coronation Mugs

King Edward VII, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II
Donated in memory of Peggy Beasley née Smith

King Charles III mug
Collected 2023

 

The earliest known royal commemorative ceramics date back to the 17th century. It is believed that in 1661, Charles II was the first monarch to have his coronation commemorated on a ceramic. His coronation signified the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War, and the end of the English republic, which existed from 1649-1660.

The majority of the mugs in this case were collected by generations of women from a local Leicester family. They have been cared for and handed down until 2022 when they became part of the museum collection.

 

 

These Objects of the Month can be seen in person throughout May at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.