Georgian Silver Trophy Cup

Object Description

A magnificent sterling silver presentation cup and cover of campana form. Large enough to take a bottle. The lid mounted with a greyhound, the handles formed as large birds of prey with outstretched wings, the borders with naturalistic scenes of flowers and foliage. Weight 2210 grams, 71.06 troy ounces. Height 26.7cm (without lid) 35.5cm (with lid). Diameter 15cm. Spread across handles 26cm. London 1826. Maker Samuel Hennell.

SAMUEL HENNELL
The Hennell Family (worked from 1728). David Hennell I was apprenticed to Edward Wood 6 September 1728. Married 1 March 1736 to Hannah Broomhead. First mark entered as largeworker, 23 June 1736. Address: King’s Head Court, Gutter Lane. The Hennell’s had fifteen children of which only five reached maturity. David retired from business in 1773 and died 1785. Robert Hennell I, fifth child of David Hennell I, apprenticed to his father in 1756, free 1763. 1st mark in partnership with David I 1763. 2nd similar. 3rd mark alone as smallworker 1772. 4th mark as saltmaker 1773. 5th mark in partnership with son David II as 3rd partner 1802 . Robert Hennell II, son of John Hennell, elder brother of Robert Hennell I. Apprenticed to his uncle Robert Hennell I 1778, free 1785. Also apprenticed to John Houle as engraver. 1st mark entered as plateworker with Henry Nutting 1808. 2nd,3rd and 4th marks mark alone 1809,1820 and 1826. Retired 1833. Samuel Hennell, son of Robert Hennell I, free by patrimony 1800. 1st mark entered as third partner to his father and brother in 1802. 2nd mark with Robert Hennell only 1802. 3rd mark alone 1811. 4th mark in partnership with John Terry 1814, terminated 1816. David Hennell II, apprenticed to his father Robert Hennell I 1782, free 1789. Livery 1791. 1st mark in partnership with his father 1795. Second mark, with brother Samuel added to the partnership 1802. Resigned from Livery 1821.

Object Literature

Literature: Coursing, one of the oldest sports, dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times. In its simplest form, it is the pursuit of game animals by hounds which hunt by sight rather than smell. Classed as a gentleman’s sport, it was generally conducted on the great estates of the royalty and aristocracy and during the reign of Elizabeth I the first rules of coursing were drawn up by Earl Thomas Marshal, Duke of Norfolk.
During the reign of George III, coursing gained popularity and gentlemen became interested in matching their hounds against others for a wager. In 1776, in Swaffham, the Earl of Orford founded the first English coursing club. Other coursing clubs followed, including the Ashdown Park Club (1780), the Malton Coursing Club (1781), the Newmarket Society (1805), the Louth Coursing Society and the Ilsley Club (both 1808), the Beacon Hill Club (1812), the Morse Coursing Society (1815), the Derbyshire Coursing Society (1817), the Deptford Coursing Union (1819), the Amesbury Club (1822) and the Altcar Club (1825). Additional clubs continued to be founded well into the second half of the nineteenth century as organized coursing continued to grow in popularity.
Coursing was a winter sport, the season began in early September and ran through the following March. The Duke of Norfolk’s Laws of the Leash were the basis of the rules for coursing across England however each coursing club added a few embellishments of their own. Most clubs offered a gold or silver cup to the winner of the meeting they sponsored.

Object Condition

The cup is in very good condition with no damage. Excellent quality cast mounts with crisp detail. Stamped on the body with a full set of English silver hallmarks, lid with lion, matching date and duty marks.

Object Details