Vintage Paragon George VI Coronation Dish – Flower Petal Shape, Royal Cipher, Oak Garland, Bone China, England 1937

A five-petal flower in bone china, made to mark a coronation that almost didn't happen. When Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936, Paragon — already holding a Royal Warrant from Queen Mary — pivoted to produce commemorative ware for the unexpected new king. This small footed dish is one of those pieces: a flower-shaped trinket dish carrying the full regalia of George VI's crowning at Westminster Abbey on May 12th, 1937.

The centre holds the royal cipher "GR" (Georgius Rex) in turquoise enamel, framed by a blue ring and topped with the Imperial State Crown in crimson and gold. An oak leaf garland — England's emblem of strength — wraps the cipher from both sides, dotted with tiny red berries. Gold laurel sprays close the composition at the base. Each of the five petal-shaped lobes curves gently upward from a low foot ring, its scalloped edge traced in gold. The dish sits just 3.5 inches (9 cm) across — small enough to hold a ring or a pair of earrings, large enough to carry nearly ninety years of history.

Turn it over and the backstamp tells the whole story in gold lettering: "By Appointment — A Perpetual Souvenir in Paragon China — To Commemorate the Coronation of Their Majesties King George & Queen Elizabeth — Crowned Westminster Abbey May 12th 1937." Paragon was one of the very few English potteries to hold concurrent Royal Warrants from three successive monarchs — Queen Mary (1933), George VI (1937), and Elizabeth II (1953). The company has since ceased production entirely.