Historical information

This is a souvenir mug produced for visitors to the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition in Warrnambool (December 1994 to February 1995). The ship ‘Mary Rose’, built in Portsmouth, England in 1509-10, was historically of major significance. She was the spearhead of a master plan to give England superiority on the high seas. Using new technology of the time, heavy artillery was mounted on the lower decks of this ship and this overloaded the ship. In 1545 she sank in Portsmouth Harbour with the loss of 700 lives as she was about to set sail to defend the English against the French invaders. In 1982 the hull of this ship was raised to the surface and the contents recovered. Over 200 items from the wreck were brought to Warrnambool and displayed in 1994-5 at the Warrnambool Art Gallery.

Significance

This mug is of interest as it is a memento of the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition held in Warrnambool in 1994-5. This exhibition was an important event in the 1990s in Warrnambool and attracted many visitors.

Physical description

This is a cream-coloured china mug with a handle and a raised black and cream image of the ‘Mary Rose’ ship on one side and printed material in brown on the other side. It has the distributor’s name on the bottom with a map of Victoria and a brown dot showing the location of Warrnambool. It is a souvenir of the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition held in Warrnambool in 1994-5.

Inscriptions & markings

“Mary Rose” Exhibition Warrnambool 1994-1995
Lady Bay Creations Warrnambool Australia