Commemorative ware comprises items that are made to commemorate an event within a short time, before or after its occurrence.

Manufacturers have never been slow to exploit the commercial possibilities afforded by the tourist trade, or by events of national or even local interest, and souvenirs and commemorative ware offer the collector a wide and varied field.

Although commemorative pottery was known to exist from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the industry really got under way with the invention of transfer printing in the 1750s. George Ill's jubilee in 1809, the death of Princess Charlotte in 1817, and George IV's coronation, were among the earliest events to be commemorated on a large scale by the ceramics industry.

Thereafter coronations, royal weddings, births, jubilees, etc have all been memorialised on china. In the Victorian period commemorative wares were produced in ceramic, glass, wood, papier-mache, stone, metal, ivory, more...

17 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A VR Diamond Jubilee biscuit tin. height 19 cm

VR Diamond Jubilee Biscuit Tin - 19cm

A VR Diamond Jubilee biscuit tin. height 19 cm

An invitation for an audience with the Duke and Duchess of…

Royal Audience: Meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York

An invitation for an audience with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York size 23 cm x 29 cm

Princess Margaret [1930-2002] and her first child, Viscount…

Princess Margaret and Viscount David Linley, 1963

Princess Margaret [1930-2002] and her first child, Viscount David Linley, photographed by her husband Lord Snowdon, 19 x 14 cm, mounted on a backing card and endorsed on reverse 'With Christmas Wishes, signed and dated on the mount below 'Margaret',…

Royal Footmans coat with gold bullion braid

Gold Braid Royal Footman's Coat

Royal Footmans coat with gold bullion braid

A gold and enamel Royal insignia, in 18ct gold., condition:…

18ct Gold Royal Insignia with Enamel Detail

A gold and enamel Royal insignia, in 18ct gold., condition: weight 5.7g.

A framed display with signature of William Frederick

William Frederick's Signature Display

A framed display with signature of William Frederick

The first recorded artwork by HRH Prince Edward of York, Age 6,…

Prince Edward's First Artwork (Age 6, c. 1900)

The first recorded artwork by HRH Prince Edward of York, Age 6, C 1900

A pair of Royal memorabilia crystal glasses, Queen's diamond…

Royal Crystal Glasses: Queen's Diamond Jubilee Memorabilia

A pair of Royal memorabilia crystal glasses, Queen's diamond Jubilee 2012, height 7 cm

A boxed set of six Old English Jubilee silver teaspoons, London…

Old English Jubilee Silver Teaspoons Set, London 1935

A boxed set of six Old English Jubilee silver teaspoons, London 1935

Royal family souvenir porcelain cups 10 cm high & shorter (3)

Royal Porcelain Souvenir Cups Collection

Royal family souvenir porcelain cups 10 cm high & shorter (3)

Three Wedgwood Jasperware plates, commemorating Australia's…

Wedgwood Jasperware Plates Commemorating Australia's America's Cup (3)

Three Wedgwood Jasperware plates, commemorating Australia's Americas cup, South Australian Jubilee and Americas cup Defence plate, boxed, (3)

Walter Moorcroft, Pair of Scent Bottles, c. 1945, Anemone'…

Walter Moorcroft Scent Bottles, Anemone Pattern

Walter Moorcroft, Pair of Scent Bottles, c. 1945, Anemone' pattern, decorated with a band of flowers against a navy blue ground, impressed facsimile signature and 'Potter to HM The Queen, Made in England' (2), height 14 cm. Provenance: Private Collection,…

HM 15ct gold thimble. Maker 'Ch.'. Wt. 7.1g

Ch. 15ct Gold Thimble - 7.1g

HM 15ct gold thimble. Maker 'Ch.'. Wt. 7.1g

Framed silver National Trust Jubilee plate. Limited edition…

Limited Edition National Trust Jubilee Plate by Kenneth Jack

Framed silver National Trust Jubilee plate. Limited edition -/276, Kenneth Jack 'Como, South Yarra'. Diameter 20 cm (plate)

A Jubilee cup. Limited edition 22/500 made. Makers mark S J…

Limited Edition Jubilee Cup with Certificate

A Jubilee cup. Limited edition 22/500 made. Makers mark S J Rose & Son. Supplied by Harrods, London. Certificate supplied

Four Royal Family commemorative mugs & a bell

Royal Family Mugs & Bell Commemorative Set

Four Royal Family commemorative mugs & a bell

Jubilee children's vanity set

Jubilee Kids Vanity Set

Jubilee children's vanity set