THE ASCOT GOLD VASE, 1866

The Property of THE TRUSTEES OF THE LATE R. V. SUTTON, BART. A large number of pieces in the collection bear the coat-of-arms of Sutton for Sir Richard Sutton (1798-1855), 2nd Bt., who suceeded to the title on the death of his grandfather Sir Richard Sutton, 1st Bt. in 1802. He inherited large estates in Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Leicestershire and London, including a large portion of Mayfair. These were held in trust with the wealth accumulating until his coming of age in December 1819. He married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Burton Esq. of Burton Hall, Co. Carlow, in the same month and much of the silver dates from this time and was undoubtably either given as wedding presents or commissioned by the newly married couple. He devoted himself to the pursuit of field sports. In addition to the family estate of Studbrooke Hall, Nottinghamshire, he took Welting, Norfolk for shooting and rented moors in Aberdeenshire for grouse shooting and deer stalking. He was became master of foxhounds of the Burton Hunt in 1822 and later in 1848 bought Quorn Hall from the Oliver family and bore the whole cost of the hunt for several years. He was noted for his great hospitality and love of both field sports and music. He held particular contempt for politics however, and although often approached to stand for parliament continually refused. After his sudden death in 1855 at Cambridge House, 94 Piccadily, his London residence, his stud and hounds were sold, as was the Quorn estate. The title and the rest of the estates passed to his eldest son, John and on his death in 1873 to the second son, also called Richard. A large part of the silver collection was sold by the Trustees of the late Sir R. V. Sutton Bt., Christie's, 31 March 1976, lots 34-133

Details

THE ASCOT GOLD VASE, 1866

A MASSIVE VICTORIAN SILVER-GILT TANKARD
maker's mark of Robert Garrard, London, 1867

Of cylindrical form, on spreading circular foot and with beaded scroll handle cast with a lion's head and hinged domed cover with beaded scroll thumbpiece and detachable finial formed as two rearing stallions, the body chased and applied with strapwork, scrolls and foliage, engraved with the Royal Arms on an applied cartouche, marked on body, cover and horses tails, and with a plinth applied with gilt coat-of-arms and 'THE ASCOT GOLD VASE, WON BY ELAND' - height of tankard 19¾in. (50cm.)
208ozs. (6,482grs.)

The arms on the plinth are those of Sutton for Richard Sutton Esq.
later Sir Richard Sutton, 4th Bt. (1821-1878)

Lot Essay

The Ascot Gold Vase, 1866, was run on the 29th May of that year by a field of nine. The best known horse was The Duke, the property of The Marquis of Hastings, who finished second, beaten by six legths by Elland. Lord Hastings, who was declared bankrupt in scandalous circumstances the following year, was obliged to give the Duke to the moneylender Mr. Padwick, who was largely responsible for his downfall. Mr. Richard Sutton, owner of Elland had a remarkable year in 1866, when his horse Lord Lyon won the triple crown, and Elland winning twelve of his eighteen races. No value was given for the vase as it was the gift of the Queen but Mr. Sutton did receive ¨220 in cash in addition to the trophy

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