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Edmund de Waal Mug for Maggie’s launched in collaboration with Duchess China and made possible with support from the Miel de Botton Charitable Trust.

The special edition "Edmund de Waal Mug for ҹɫֱ²¥" is sold exclusively by the V&A, available from V&A South Kensington and online at  from 5 November. Each mug from the first firing of this special edition comes with a description of its creation, signed by the artist.

Edmund de Waal will be in conversation with CEO of ҹɫֱ²¥ Dame Laura Lee at the V&A in South Kensington on Wednesday 11th November at 7pm. The pair will discuss the origins and process behind the design of this special collaboration. 

The heart of a ҹɫֱ²¥ centre

The mug refers to the kitchen table that is found at the heart of every Maggie’s centre. It is a place where people with cancer, as well as their family and friends, gather to share experiences over a cup of tea. It is also one of the spaces in the centres where people can speak to Maggie’s expert staff.

There are now 27 centres across the UK offering free psychological and practical support with no appointment necessary.

Poetry meets pottery

The mug is made in collaboration with Duchess China, established in 1888 in Stoke-on-Trent, the last historic fine bone china pottery in the United Kingdom.  

The skilled artisans at Duchess China have used enamel decal printing and hand-decorating techniques to fulfil Edmund’s design. This features selected lines of poetry, written in graphite on a light-grey ground, overlaid with ink wash and gilding.

The chosen text is an extract from the 1981 poem ‘alphabet’, by distinguished Danish poet, the late Inger Christensen, translated by Susanna Nied.

Dame Laura Lee DBE, Chief Executive of Maggie’s, says: "Maggie’s has always valued the special creative input of artists, and this brilliant gift from Edmund de Waal is hugely welcome. This year marks 30 years of Maggie’s transformative support for people facing cancer, and this is a very special way of offering people the chance to own a beautiful piece of Edmund’s pottery. I am also delighted we are once more working in partnership with V&A."

Edmund de Waal CBE says: "This is a deeply personal coming together of things — poetry and pottery — to celebrate Maggie’s, a place where profound conversations and support happen day by day, around the kitchen table over a mug of tea."

Jason Simms, Director, Duchess China, says: "Duchess China is delighted to be collaborating with Edmund de Waal in creating his Mug for Maggie’s. Close collaboration between artists and the skilled artisans at Duchess China is at the heart of a tradition stretching back to the 1880s."

Sir Tristram Hunt, Director of V&A, says: "The V&A is pleased to care for Edmund de Waal’s exceptional ceramics in the national collection and to have collaborated with him on several occasions. The outstanding contemporary designs of Maggie’s centres have featured in V&A displays and exhibitions over the years, and we are delighted to support this new project by offering the Mug for Maggie’s in our shops."

Find out more about the V&E event Edmund de Waal with Dame Laura Lee - A Mug for ҹɫֱ²¥ and .

Here for 30 years, here for good

Whatever kind of cancer, whatever stage you're at, ҹɫֱ²¥ is here with you.

Our expert staff are here to listen to your concerns and find the help you need wherever you are – over the phone and online.

• Just come in 
• Call us on 0300 123 180 or arrange a callback
• Email us at [email protected] 
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