Object of the Day: A Souvenir of the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, 1911

This is glitz and glamour week at Stalking the Belle Époque. And, no one represents the glamour of the history of the Royal Family better than Queen Mary. Her dignified and proper public demeanor belied her excitement and passion for glittering gems and magnificent, elegant objects.


This souvenir mug from 1911 would have appealed to Queen Mary. With its delicate decoration and stylish “waisted” design, it’s just the sort of attractive item which would have caught Mary’s attention. Of course, she would have also enjoyed the fact that her picture is on it.

In honor of the coronation of George V and Queen Mary, this attractive mug by an unknown maker is adorned with roses and the imperial crown. The reverse—with the flags of Britain and the Monarchy—is emblazoned with the message, “God Save the King.”

Despite the ravages of the First World War and the splintering of the Empire, Mary kept the spirit of elegance and grace alive and set a standard for Royal behavior which is followed to this day. So, in addition to the mug’s message, I’d like to add, “God Save the Queen.”