British Empire Exhibition fluted china dish - 1924

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Cauldon China

1924

Overview

White, glazed, bone china, fluted dish created as a souvenir of the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley in 1924-1925.
It has a decorative scalloped edge with gold trim (much of it worn away). The centre features an oval illustration of Britannia sitting on a chariot with a lion at her feet within a laurel wreath. Either side of her are depictions of industry (mining derrick, smoke stack) and transport (biplane, sailing ship).
Above and below the central image are golden scrolls with black lettering reading 'Wembley Apr Oct' and 'British Empire Exhibition'. The flags of the countries of the Empire appear on flag poles to the left and right of the central image - five on each side. These include Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Canada, India and Africa.
The maker's name and registration details appear on the underside of the dish.

Historical information

In 1919, the Prince of Wales became President of the organising committee for an exhibition to show off the industry and natural resources of the British Empire, and ‘... to enable all who owe allegiance to the British flag to meet on common ground and learn to know each other.’
It was erected on a 216 acre site of former pleasure grounds at Wembley Park, close to Central London. The main buildings were the Palaces of Industry, Engineering and Arts, together with the Wembley Stadium. There were many pavilions designed and erected by each of the participating countries, an amusement park and a variety of novel transport arrangements into and round the site.
Running for two six-month long seasons, in 1924 and 1925, the event saw grand pavilions, life-sized butter sculptures, a coalmine, a recreation of Tutankhamen's tomb and elaborate theatrical performances featuring thousands of people and animals.
Over 27 million visitors attended over the two seasons and they could collect leaflets and buy special souvenirs - badges, spoons, metalware, china and other decorative objects.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00348

Item type

Themes