Heraldic Emblem Mudlarked Sherd Pendant

Historical Information

Object: Patriotic commemorative pottery sherd
Fabric/Body: Cream earthenware with green underglaze print
Motif: Imperial crown above a radiating sunburst & flower
Motto: NUNQVAM SUPER IMPERIVM OCCIDENS -
"The sun never sets over the Empire."
Date: c. 1880-1910
Origin: Staffordshire, England (most likely)
Use: Decorative/commemorative tableware celebrating the
British Empire
Find location: Essex Coastline, England

Extra Information:
The motto and sunburst emblem reflect the Victorian slogan
referring to the global reach of the British Empire. Many
inexpensive commemorative wares used semi-heraldic crests
featuring crowns, Latin phrases, and symbolic imagery. This
fragment is typical of patriotic household ceramics produced
during Queen Victoria's jubilees and the height of imperial
sentiment.

Because such plates were everyday objects, many were
discarded, leaving fragments like this along rivers and
coastlines.