Marking moments in time

Do you collect any memorabilia or keepsakes? From political upheaval to sporting success and music festivals, the V&A collection includes many objects produced to commemorate historical moments.

They also represent artistic achievements in the museum’s specialist research areas. Here, the UK Olympic torches show distinctive metalwork techniques while factory-produced mugs collected by the Ceramics Department present everyday objects as a medium for graphic design and messaging.

Written by: Serenella Sessini, Assistant Curator of V&A East Storehouse
Published: May 2025

Description: Blue plaque commemorating Lilian Baylis and Emma Cons
Maker: London County Council

Collecting Stories

Museum Number
S.593-2016
Description
T-shirt
Location and Date
Malta, 1971
Materials/Techniques
Cotton (textile), Knitting, Printing
Object information
Museum Number
S.179-2012
Description
BAFTA Special Lifetime Achievement Award
Artist/Maker
Mitzi Cunliffe
Location and Date
Great Britain, 2003
Materials/Techniques
Silver, Marble, Brass
Object information
Museum Number
S.799-2017
Description
award
Location and Date
Great Britain, 1971
Materials/Techniques
Metal, Marble, Cast
Object information
Museum Number
S.47-2025
Description
Steel drum bin
Artist/Maker
Glastonbury Festival bin painters
Location and Date
Somerset, 2014
Object information
Museum Number
S.1076-1996
Description
Commemorative mug
Artist/Maker
Leaper, Newlyn
Location and Date
Cornwall, 1962
Materials/Techniques
Ceramic, Ceramic
Object information
Museum Number
C.174-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Commemorative Pottery
Location and Date
England, 1984
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Glazing
Object information
Museum Number
C.182-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location and Date
Wales, 1980s
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
C.106-1991
Description
Peoples March for Jobs
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location and Date
England, 1981
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware
Object information
Museum Number
C.166-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Bonnet, Tim
Location and Date
Totnes, ca. 1991
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
C.8-1992
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Royal Aller Vale & Watcombe Pottery Co.
Location and Date
Torquay, 1902
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Lead glaze, Applied, Painted
Object information
Museum Number
C.91-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location and Date
Staffordshire, possibly 1986
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
C.92-1991
Description
I Think Mug
Artist/Maker
Dexter, Alison
Location and Date
Staffordshire, 1990
Materials/Techniques
White earthenware, Opaque white glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
C.105-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location and Date
Staffordshire, 1988
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
C.323-2018
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Date
1919
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Transfer-printed
Object information
Museum Number
C.167-1991
Description
Mug
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Location and Date
England, ca. 1989
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Glaze, Printed, Glazed
Object information
Museum Number
M.5-2013
Description
Olympic Torch
Artist/Maker
Barber, Edward OBE
Location and Date
Coventry, 2011-2012
Materials/Techniques
Aluminium, Anodizing, Die stamping, Laser cutting, Laser welding
Object information
Museum Number
M.3:1, 2-2006
Description
Olympic Torch
Artist/Maker
High Duty Alloys Ltd.
Location and Date
London, 1947
Materials/Techniques
Hiduminium, Steel, Casting, Piercing
Object information
Museum Number
C.44-1986
Description
Boy George
Artist/Maker
Maberry, Phillip
Location and Date
United States, 1984
Materials/Techniques
Earthenware, Painting (image-making)
Object information
Museum Number
S.1092:1 to 4-2021
Description
Commemorative Gilbert & Sullivan opera mug
Artist/Maker
Josiah Wedgwood and Sons
Location and Date
Barlaston, 1964
Object information