Craftsman Joe Cunningham selects a die from a selection of 250,000 stamping dies at the civil and military regalia manufacturer Toye, Kenning and Spencer in Birmingham. From their factories in Birmingham and Bedworth, the company's experts in weaving, gold and silversmithing, enamelling and embroidery create a vast array of regalia for civilian and military lifePhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesThe Motto (cap badge) of The 17th/21st Queen's Royal Lancers is created at Toye, Kenning and Spencer in Birmingham. The company is the oldest fraternal regalia manufacturer in the world, established in 1685Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA craftswoman paints enamels on a badge Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A crown for the top of a flag pole waits to be polished Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA craftsman heats enamels on badges Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA craftsman polishes a badge Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA weaver creates ribbons for medals in BedworthPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA selection of some of the 250,000 stamping dies stored on shelves Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesStamping craftsman Mick Puusta creates medals on a press Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA craftsman engraves the edge of a medalPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA weaver creates ribbons in BedworthPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA craftsman enamels a badgePhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesJubilee medals on display in BedworthPhotograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.