Antique Indian Colonial Silver Goblet, India – 1879
Antique Indian Colonial Silver Goblet, India – 1879
£1,600.00
Description
An Indian silver presentation goblet decorated with bands of fine geometric and floral ornamentation. The underside of the drinking bowl with deeply gadrooned petals, chased with acanthus leaves to the surface. The bowl arises from an ornamental shaped and pendant skirt, possibly a stylised depiction of a lotus, supported by a knopped stem and circular domed foot.
An inscription on the front of the cup reads:
“CHALLENGE FOURS
WON BY – POONA CREW
1ST SEPT. 1879
I – F. G. Selby 2 – H. Maclaine
3 – S. W. Tyndall T.A. Lemesurier (stk)
RG Oxenham (cox)”
This trophy was presented to the Poona crew after achieving first place in a rowing competition. These lightweight boats had four rowers, hence the term ‘challenge four’, with a steersman or coxswain sitting at the back.
In this team, the coxswain was Robert George Oxenham, the principal of Deccan College. To make a good coxswain, he would probably have been a light man of small stature. Oxenham was closely involved with the rowing club and presented cups himself in the years following.
The Poona Boat Club practiced on the Mula-Mutha River and the club is still open today. Amongst the club’s most notable fans was Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, who commanded the Bombay army from 1886 – 1890. The club was later re-named after him.
| item details | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Asian |
| Period | 19th Century |
| Style | Other |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Dimensions | Diameter 10 cms |
| Diameter | Weight 336 grams |
Product REF: 10037
