Souvenir biscuit barrel decorated with portraits of British commanders of the Boer War, 1900 (c)

Earthenware, 1900 (c).

This pink biscuit barrel is a typical example of the mass produced goods, celebrating Queen and Empire, that were produced in the late Victorian era. It depicts portraits of Lord Roberts VC, General French, Colonel Robert Baden-Powell, Lord Kitchener, Sir Redvers Buller VC, Sir George White VC and Sir Hector Macdonald.

The rose, thistle, leek and shamrock symbolise the contribution made to the fighting forces in South Africa by England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.