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'.