Magnificent tinplate peacock struts his stuff at Fortnum & Mason’s flagship store

What do you get if you combine the extravagant beauty of a peacock, the vision of an iconic London retailer, high-quality recycled tinplate and King Charles III’s Coronation?

Shoppers at Fortnum & Mason’s flagship London store have the answer: a magnificently regal tin peacock statue, of course!

Perched on a prominent window ledge at the shopfront, the peacock’s beautiful plumage cascades down towards the admiring shoppers below. The bright hues, fabulous elegance and intricate design prompt gasps of wonder and delight. And our regal tin-feathered friend – designed to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation and the sustainability values he holds dear – is a truly exceptional work of art.

Fortnum and Mason invited several leading British craftsmen, artists and manufacturers to contribute to this ambitious project. As one of the luxury brand’s long-standing suppliers, P. Wilkinson Containers was thrilled to count among the chosen few. For over seven decades, we have been providing high-quality, bespoke cake tins, tea caddies and promotional items to Fortnum’s. And they knew they could count on us to deliver.

Taking four weeks to create and two days to install, and featuring 1,298 hand-cut feathers, the statue is a great example of collaboration between Britain’s finest design, technology and manufacturing talent.

P. Wilkinson Containers’ role in the project was to supply some of the recycled tinplate – repurposed from Fortnum’s biscuit tins and tea caddies – for the statue. Repurposed using solar power at our Bermondsey factory, the tinplate supports the sustainability values to which King Charles, Fortnum and Mason and P. Wilkinson Containers all subscribe.

Further, with production happening just a stone’s throw away from the peacock’s final residence, the tinplate feathers needed very little energy to reach their destination. Another tick for sustainability!

We’re proud of the great work we’ve done for Fortnum and Mason over the last 70+ years. But the peacock might just be the jewel in the crown. For now anyway!

Many thanks to our colleagues at Fortnum’s for inviting us to participate in this exceptional project. Following the hot chocolate tin that we produced for his Majesty King Charles III’s Highgrove brand seven years ago, it’s a fitting homage to our new King.

The peacock is just one example – albeit a showstopping one – of how P. Wilkinson Containers continues to push the boundaries on design, innovation and sustainability in the metal packaging space. Our mission is to continue to deliver many more beautiful, functional, sustainable packaging items to the nation’s demanding consumers and brands going forwards. Watch this space!

To learn more about this incredible project or discuss your unique packaging needs, please get in touch on +44 (0)20 7237 4500 or at sales@pwcon.co.uk today!