Beefeater GR D6233 – Small – Royal Doulton Character Jug

Royal Doulton Character Jug, Beefeater GR D6233 (pink with “GR” cipher handle). Designed by Harry Fenton. Series: The London Collection, issued 1947 – 1953. Size: 3.25″H (small)

The Yeomen of the Guard and warders of the Tower of London are colloquially referred to as Beefeaters. The name “Beefeater” came from a visiting Grand Duke who was astonished by the large amounts of beef eaten by the Yeoman Guards. The monarch’s cipher, GR, at the base of the handle is an abbreviation of George Rex, for King George VI. After his death in 1953, the cipher was changed to ER (Elizabeth Regina), for Queen Elizabeth II.