New collection of fine bone china revealed to celebrate King Charles III coronation
They've been made using centuries-old processes in the Potteries in Stoke-On-Trent.
Last updated 14th Apr 2023
A range of hand-finished fine bone china commemorating the upcoming coronation of the King and Queen Consort has gone on sale.
The official chinaware, employing centuries-old manufacturing processes and made in the heart of The Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, is set to mark the May 6 ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
The range, from the Royal Collection Trust charity, features a bespoke design incorporating the royal coat of arms and a garland of laurel leaves symbolising peace.
Also featured is a decorative border of oak leaves signifying strength and longevity alongside the emblems of the four nations of the UK - the thistle, rose, shamrock and daffodil - while an entwined ribbon symbolises the partnership of King and Queen Consort.
The design features Charles's cypher, which is stamped in gold foil, designed by The College of Arms and consists of initials from his name and title, rex, which is Latin for king.
Ian Grant, the trust's head of product development and buying, said the process of designing and manufacturing thousands of pieces brought enormous pride to the staff working to produce the range.
The trust, part of the royal household, has been making commemorative china for 30 years.
Mr Grant said:
"This is probably the most momentous occasion we've developed a product for."
The exact manufacturing location is kept under wraps, but workers there, some of whom started in the pottery-making industry as teenagers and are now in their 60s, spoke of their delight at being involved in marking such a historic event.
Mr Grant said each stage requires "years of training", building to an "amazing process" which gives value to the Made in England stamp each item has applied on its base.
The 55-year-old said the trust has been a keen supporter of china-making in The Potteries since Buckingham Palace opened to the public in 1993, having always bought its commemorative pottery from Staffordshire.
"We're proud of our association with the area," he said.
"So many hands, so much skill is involved in creating this wonderful product.
"Every single piece that we sell has gone through 50 separate pairs of highly-skilled hands, who've spent years in the industry - and every bit of skill, passion, love and care, goes into each piece.
"Working with the great suppliers we work with, they do take an enormous pride in what they do - working on something like this, a product for such a momentous occasion.
"There's a huge amount of pride."
The range comprises a coffee mug priced at Ă‚ÂŁ30, pillbox at Ă‚ÂŁ40, tankard at Ă‚ÂŁ50, an eight-inch dessert plate also at Ă‚ÂŁ50, and a tea cup and saucer at Ă‚ÂŁ75.
There are also several limited edition lines which will be hand-numbered, produced in smaller runs ranging from 150 up to 1,000 and be "a little bit more special".
Profits go to the trust for the care and conservation of the Royal Collection.