The Sun Never Sets Mudlarked Logo 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.