Ashtray made of Rubble from the Houses of Parliament

The text on the medallion of this ashtray, which features St Paul’s Cathedral, reads ‘Bombed Burned but Unbeaten’, reflecting London’s resilience during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, 1940–1941.

Various souvenirs, including ashtrays and bookends, were made from the rubble of the Houses of Parliament, which was damaged on many occasions during the Second World War – including in May 1941 when the Commons Chamber was destroyed by fire following a bombing attack.