Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Moorcroft Vase

Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Moorcroft Vase

  • $1,150.00
    Unit price per 


Which day it was precisely is now lost in the mists of time, but as Moorcroft Chairman, Hugh Edwards, fondly recalls, the Queen of England once openly discussed her favourite colours with him over lunch. It was the day that she opened the Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
In the Queens Hall, Hugh delighted in his place being directly opposite Her Majesty. Not many people can say they have risen for the loyal toast, opposite the one lady in the world who stays seated. Polite conversation unfolded and the Queen explained that as a young woman, white was very firmly her favourite palette. She proceeded to remind him that her wedding breakfast was decked out with white orchids, as indeed was her bridal bouquet.
A few months later, Sandringham Bouquet was born of the Moorcroft kilns and one example found its way into the Royal collection. Several years later, and this special encounter and the impact of the conversation still echoes through the minds of the Moorcroft creative team, especially on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday. So a white orchid was kept in mind by designer Rachel Bishop for a birthday design, but the significance of this flower does not end there.
Unseen in London for over a hundred years, the white helleborine orchid recently crept back into city life again. Its hidden residence of choice? The gardens of Buckingham Palace! Hard to miss as it can grow up to half a metre in height, the attractive white flowers were rediscovered during a survey by the London Natural History Society, involving scientists from the Natural History Museum in 2013. This wonderful, yet unexpected find, proves how important it is to maintain green spaces within our capital city, but that aside, the orchid was a delightful surprise. Instantly enamoured by the feminine blooms and matched by a lovely story, Rachel swept the white orchid, a favourite of the Queen’s, into her world of romantic linework and luxurious colour.
Pieces available through special order, delivery time is roughly 8 weeks.