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