





Antique Paragon George VI & Queen Elizabeth Coronation Loving Cup – Lion Figural Handles, Royal Arms, Commemorative China, England 1937
On the morning of May 12, 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were crowned at Westminster Abbey. This Paragon China loving cup was made to mark that day—and it carries the weight of the occasion in every detail.
The two handles are what stop you first: standing lion figures, unglazed, their amber-toned forms gripping the rim on either side. They are sculptural and committed—a choice that sets this piece far apart from standard commemorative ware. The body displays the full British Royal Coat of Arms in cobalt, gold, rose pink, and heraldic yellow, flanked by the inscription "GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH" in formal gothic script. The coronation text wraps the opposite side: crowned in Westminster Abbey, May 12, with the King's Latin titles beneath.
Paragon China held royal appointments and was a trusted maker of official commemorative pieces through the early 20th century. This cup was issued "by appointment" as a "perpetual souvenir"—language that promised it would outlast its occasion. Nearly 90 years later, it has. For collectors of British royal memorabilia, pre-war English ceramics, or anyone drawn to objects that hold history in their hands, this is a piece with genuine provenance and presence.
• Type: Commemorative Loving Cup • Maker: Paragon China • Origin: Made in England • Era: 1937 • Subject: Coronation of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, Westminster Abbey, May 12, 1937 • Shape: Round loving cup; two standing lion figural handles; single foot ring • Size: Approx. 3.5 in / 9 cm tall; 5.5 in / 14 cm handle-to-handle • Material: Glazed Bone China • Decoration: Full Royal Coat of Arms in polychrome enamel & gold; gothic coronation inscription; gilt rim; unglazed amber lion handles • Markings: "By Appointment / A Perpetual Souvenir in Paragon China / King George VI & Queen Elizabeth / Crowned Westminster Abbey / May 12, 1937 / Registered & Copyright / Made in England"
Condition Very good antique condition. Polychrome decoration on the body vivid and intact; Royal Arms colouring clear; gilded text fully legible. The lion handles display their characteristic unglazed amber surface with age-consistent marks. No chips or cracks to the glazed body. Please review all photos as part of the condition record.
𓆡𓆝𓆟𓆜𓆞𓆝𓆟𓆜𓆞 𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 & 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒂 — 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/RabbitholeAntique?section_id=58126708
Details
- Type
- Commemorative Loving Cup
- Maker
- Paragon China
- Origin
- Made in England
- Era
- 1937
- Subject
- Coronation of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, Westminster Abbey, May 12, 1937
- Shape
- Round loving cup; two standing lion figural handles; single foot ring
- Size
- Approx. 3.5 in / 9 cm tall; 5.5 in / 14 cm handle-to-handle
- Material
- Glazed Bone China
- Decoration
- Full Royal Coat of Arms in polychrome enamel & gold; gothic coronation inscription; gilt rim; unglazed amber lion handles
- Markings
- "By Appointment / A Perpetual Souvenir in Paragon China / King George VI & Queen Elizabeth / Crowned Westminster Abbey / May 12, 1937 / Registered & Copyright / Made in England"
Condition
Very good antique condition. Polychrome decoration on the body vivid and intact; Royal Arms colouring clear; gilded text fully legible. The lion handles display their characteristic unglazed amber surface with age-consistent marks. No chips or cracks to the glazed body. Please review all photos as part of the condition record.
Backstamp & Pattern

- Maker
- Paragon China
- Era
- 1937
- Mark on base
- "By Appointment / A Perpetual Souvenir in Paragon China / King George VI & Queen Elizabeth / Crowned Westminster Abbey / May 12, 1937 / Registered & Copyright / Made in England"
Paragon's double royal warrant (“By Appointment to H.M. The Queen & H.M. Queen Mary”) dates a piece to roughly 1933–1953, after which the wording changed.
Read the full backstamp & pattern guide →More in Royal Commemoratives

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