Lot 309
A late Victorian trophy cup and cover
Auction: 28 May 2008 at 12:00 BST
Description
by Job Frank Hall London 1895 (cover 1894), the deep bowl embossed with C scroll flower head and hatched designs and foliate scroll formed cartouches, the upper rim with vacant semi circular cartouches (two with inscription of winners), the lower section with fluted section, the twin C scroll handles with reeded grips and acanthus leaf cap and terminals, resting on an a stepped and gadrooned circular foot rim, the domed cover with embossed floral and scroll borders and with St George slaying the dragon finial, on original turned wooden stand
Dimensions
41cm high (excluding stand), 110oz
Footnote
Notes:
The cartouches to the body are engraved 'The Robinson Challenge cup' and 'Presented by Sir William Robinson K.C.M.G Hong Kong February 1897'. The lid is engraved to rim 'From Walter Dunlop McKie to Donald Beith'. The winners' cartouches are engraved '1897 won by Messrs McKie & Goves GLENIFFER' and '1898 won by Messrs McKie & Goves BEECHWOOD'.
Sir William Robinson (1836 - 1912), eldest son of Rev. J Bank Robinson, was appointed the 11th Governor of Hong Kong in 1891. He was the longest serving Governor and stepped down in 1898, not only from this post but retiring from Colonial Service in which he had been active in for many years.
A highly decorated civil servant he was awarded the rank of the Order of St Michael and St George, the C.M.G, the K.C.M.G and the G.C.M.G.
The finial of St George slaying the dragon surely must represent his pride at being bestowed the great honour of the Order of St Michael and St George.