Until a few decades ago, one of the most common souvenirs for the traveller was an item of crested ware. The ‘crest’ was the coat-of-arms of a Town or District printed onto a small white porcelain item. The item only infrequently had any connection with the town whose crest was displayed on it.

This web site shows a selection of crested items bearing the coats-of-arms of the three Boroughs that made up what is now the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Move the cursor over any shield to show an enlarged version. Click on the cabinet to show a selection of crested items.