Trophy thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 66, The Whiteley Galleries

Trophy

1870-1871 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Silver has been given as a prize in competitions in Europe since at least the 16th century. Trophies could take the form of silver arrows for archery, or bells, bowls, medals or double handed cups. Archery and horse racing were the earliest sports to see organised competition rewarded by silver prizes but trophies have since been given for all manner of sports, arts and other contests. Silver was appealing as a prize material as it was hard wearing, could be easily worked and decorated and had a substantial value. If the winner fell upon hard times or disliked their prize, they could melt it down and reclaim the value of the metal.

This silver jug was made by the Birmingham firm, Elkington & Co. It was awarded as a prize to Mr Whitehouse for his pointer dog ‘Rock’ at a show held in Birmingham in 1870. The first dog show in Britain was held at Newcastle-upon -Tyne in 1859 and featured setters and pointers only. Dog shows became increasingly popular and in 1874, the Kennel Club was set up to standardise the rules. Unlike many trophies which are in the form of cups with handles, this prize was a flask with Celtic style decoration.

The Elkington pattern books suggest this flask was one of the prototypes for a claret jug design. The inscription on the trophy is noted on the original sketch. Elkingtons later recycled this pattern in electroplate, their trade catalogue of 1881 offering it for £7 under the category, 'CLARET JUGS', and describing it as 'Plated, Celtic, richly engraved'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, with chased design and hinged lid
Brief description
Silver Dog Show Trophy, made by Elkington, 1870-1871
Physical description
Dog show trophy; Pilgrim flask
Dimensions
  • Height: 28.0cm
  • Length: 14.0cm
  • Width: 7.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Rim of base: maker’s mark FE in two joined circles, lion, anchor, date letter ‘v’ for 1870-1, duty inside lid: date letter, duty
  • Inscribed: National Exhibition of Sporting and other dogs BIRMINGHAM 1870 CHAMPION CLASS First Prize awarded to J.G. Whitehouse, Esq FOR HIS POINTER DOG "ROCK"
Object history
Formerly - Lost 455
Old Number LOST 455
Elkingtons' pattern books suggest this flask was one of the prototypes of this design. The inscription on the trophy is noted on the original sketch. Elkingtons later recycled this pattern in electroplate, their trade catalogue of 1881 offering it for £7 0 0 under the category, 'CLARET JUGS', and describing it as 'Plated, Celtic, richly engraved'.
Summary
Silver has been given as a prize in competitions in Europe since at least the 16th century. Trophies could take the form of silver arrows for archery, or bells, bowls, medals or double handed cups. Archery and horse racing were the earliest sports to see organised competition rewarded by silver prizes but trophies have since been given for all manner of sports, arts and other contests. Silver was appealing as a prize material as it was hard wearing, could be easily worked and decorated and had a substantial value. If the winner fell upon hard times or disliked their prize, they could melt it down and reclaim the value of the metal.

This silver jug was made by the Birmingham firm, Elkington & Co. It was awarded as a prize to Mr Whitehouse for his pointer dog ‘Rock’ at a show held in Birmingham in 1870. The first dog show in Britain was held at Newcastle-upon -Tyne in 1859 and featured setters and pointers only. Dog shows became increasingly popular and in 1874, the Kennel Club was set up to standardise the rules. Unlike many trophies which are in the form of cups with handles, this prize was a flask with Celtic style decoration.

The Elkington pattern books suggest this flask was one of the prototypes for a claret jug design. The inscription on the trophy is noted on the original sketch. Elkingtons later recycled this pattern in electroplate, their trade catalogue of 1881 offering it for £7 under the category, 'CLARET JUGS', and describing it as 'Plated, Celtic, richly engraved'.
Collection
Accession number
M.8-2000

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Record createdMarch 16, 2000
Record URL
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