"The Lion Roars at Wembley"

From the 1924 British Empire Exhibition, we are so pleased to present this set of souvenir coffee spoons crested with the Exhibition's stylized lion logo and the words "1924 Wembley". As a finial at the end of each spoon, a colorful, peachy-orange resin "coffee bean" adds a whimsical touch.

Held in the north London suburb of Wembley, the stadium built for the vast Empire Exhibition would later be renamed Wembley Stadium and become the most recognizable and renowned sporting and entertainment venue in the world.

This historic set of six souvenir spoons is neatly packed in its original presentation box and is sure to be a lasting and storied addition to your home coffee bar.

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. In very good vintage condition . Handwash only. Box measures 6" x 5", Spoons measure 4" in length.

Learn More About the Empire Exhibition *

In 1924 an exhibition was held at Wembley Park in London, which aimed to celebrate the British Empire and its economic achievements and potential. It took place at a time when the empire was at its largest, and it was also a time when anti-colonial sentiment was growing. Britain was dependent economically on its empire and was desperate to keep it stable and unified. In this context, the government organised the British Empire Exhibition, which was opened by King George V on 23 April 1924. The exhibition was large, varied and exciting, offering elephants, butter sculptures and miniature railways among much else. It proved popular with the British public, attracting more than 25 million visitors.

The exhibition was described as a successor to the Great Exhibition of 1851, an event which had become, to some extent, legendary in the eyes of many. But this new event had a much more specific agenda: to bring together only the dominions, colonies, mandates and protectorates of the British Empire, to display their common interests and cooperation, to promote their industries and produce and to encourage Imperial trade.

Covering over 200 acres, the exhibition site included pavilions displaying the produce, industries and crafts of different colonies and dominions. These were developed and organised by the respective colonial governments. 56 out of 58 territories participated with their displays and pavilions. There were also over 40 different cafes, restaurants and places of refreshment, a children’s crèche and the ‘Treasure Island’ attraction which boasted a miniature train.

Visitors could learn about developments in consumer goods, including fabrics, appliances and processed foods, in the Palace of Industry and explore electrical, automotive and aeronautics industries in the Palace of Engineering. Other exhibits of note include Queen Mary’s famous doll’s house and a butter sculpture of the Prince of Wales in the dairy produce section of the Canada Pavilion.

The exhibition was open for six months in 1924 and reopened again in 1925. Over the course of its opening, it attracted over 25 million visitors. Although popular with most visitors, the exhibition was a financial disaster, making a loss of around £1.5 million by the time it closed on 31 October 1925. Most buildings on the site were demolished, however it was decided to leave the Palace of Industry and the Empire Stadium standing. The Empire Stadium was renamed Wembley Stadium and stood for another 78 years until it was replaced by a new stadium taking the same iconic name in 2003.

*Empire Exhibition history courtesy of nationalarchives.gov.uk

Learn More About Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium is the national stadium of England and the home of English football.  With 90,000 seats, it’s the largest sports venue in the UK and the second-largest stadium in Europe. Iconic and internationally recognised as world class, Wembley hosts the biggest and best events, including: the 1966 World Cup Final, the 1948 Summer Olympics, the Live Aid Concert in 1985, the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2015 Rugby World Cup to name just a few.