Worcester's Porcelain Past Honored with New Sculpture

A new bronze sculpture, titled Marks of the Manufactory, was unveiled in Worcester on June 4, 2026, to commemorate 275 years since the founding of the Royal Worcester porcelain works. The artwork celebrates the site's significant history and the contributions of its former workforce.

The sculpture, resembling a repaired vase, was inspired by a sketch discovered in the museum's archives. Artists Neil Musson and Jono Retallick created it to symbolize reconstitution and the merging of memories and stories.

This art installation is part of a larger trail of plaques that play audio recordings of former employees, offering insights into their experiences. These personal narratives are considered as crucial as the pottery itself by museum trustees.

Former workers and their families attended the unveiling, sharing emotional reflections on their time at Royal Worcester. The site's closure in 2008 deeply affected the community, as many families had generational ties to the factory.

Young people are also engaging with the history through a school project, creating podcasts based on archive recordings. This initiative aims to ensure the next generations learn about Worcester's significant industrial heritage, which is often associated with the city alongside its famous sauce and composer Elgar.