A VICTORIAN GOLD ASCOT CUP AND COVER, 1887

MARK OF JAMES GARRARD, LONDON, 1886; 18K

Details

A VICTORIAN GOLD ASCOT CUP AND COVER, 1887
Mark of James Garrard, London, 1886; 18K
Vase form, in the Renaissance style with matte and burnished chasing, on domed circular foot with acanthus border, chased with lion's masks, festoons and strapwork, the baluster stem with masks and caryatid figures and three scroll brackets, the lower bowl alternating masks and bosses, surmounted by a finely cast chariot race, the cover chased with a band of grotesque animal masks, bosses, strapwork and fruit festoons, the finial formed as a vase flanked by demi-caryatids, the interior engraved WON BY MR. DOUGLAS BAIRD'S "BIRD OF FREEDOM" , the circular ebony plinth applied with gold plaques engraved "Ascot Cup 1887" and similar prize inscription, fully marked
21½in. (54.6cm.) high; 93oz. (2894gr.)

Provenance

Christie's, New York, October 5, 1979, lot 210

Lot Essay

Baily's Magazine of Sport and Pastimes reported in July 1887 that the Ascot Race Gold Cup was won by Mr. Douglas Baird's Bird of Freedom as "the only genuine stayer in the race ... he caused the race to be a procession from end to end, winning very easily." Bird of Freedom outpaced its nearest rival, the three-year old Carrasco, by three lengths to secure the 1000 soverign Gold Cup.

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