Aqueduct Wood Memorial Trophy Won by Personality

This stunning piece of horseracing history was presented to the winner of the 1933-1934 Calcutta Races on behalf of King George V. The Calcutta Races was the premier horseracing event in Asia of the period, and its prestige is reflected in this trophy, crafted by the silversmithing firm Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company...

Made for one of the most celebrated sports figures of the 20th century, this incredible Cartier presentation tray was gifted to the baseball star Joe DiMaggio...

An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...

Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...

This extremely rare, early Swiss fusée singing bird box by the renowned Charles Bruguier combines exquisite artistry with outstanding mechanical cra...

A masterpiece of both cabinetmaking and mechanical engineering, this one-of-a-kind expanding table was crafted by the renowned cabinetmaker Samuel Hawkins of London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Diminutive in size, the fascinating table was designed as a model to demonstrate Hawkins’ innovative patent screw movement to visitors of the Exhibition – six million people in total over five months. It was exhibited again a century later at the Victoria & Albert Museum during the Festival of Britain, an event intended “to symbolise two main qualities of the national character: realism and strength on the one hand, and, on the other, independence and imagination” (Catalogue of the Exhibition, 1951, p.117). To this day, the miniature masterpiece demonstrates the quest of English furniture makers to combine technical innovation with superb craftsmanship. Displaying exceptional ingenuity, Hawkins’ wind-out screw mechanism allowed one to extend the table’s base to accommodate concentric leaves with the simple crank of a handle. It is based on the inventive expanding table originally designed by Robert Jupe in 1835, which used a swivel mechanism to separate sections of the tabletop and allow for segmented leaves to be inserted. Hawkins’ tabletop, on the other hand, extends outwards directly from the center in order to accommodate additional leaves around its diameter. This unique design allowed the mechanism to also smoothly operate on rectangular tables, which could be wound out from the middle to allow for more table space. Hawkins was not alone in his endeavor to combine the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the most artful pursuit of cabinetmaking. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to traditional furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, though few were as innovative as Hawkins’ prodigious design. Carved with the year of the Exhibition on the beautifully designed pedestal base, the table is a testament to the significance of this innovation. The model is mentioned in detail in the catalog of the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first international exhibition of industry, manufacturing, and science. Held at London’s dazzling Crystal Palace, its visitors were treated to exhibits from around the globe, including feats of engineering, innovations in industry, and marvels of design. Queen Victoria herself was a frequent visitor, along with her husband, Prince Albert, and others including Charlotte...

The Royal Squadron Schooner Prize won by Miranda, 1877. This impressive trophy is a small replica of the classical Roman ‘Warwick Vase’. The body is cast and chased with fruiting vi...

This ornate repoussé silver trophy is in the form of a handled cup with an everted rim and tripod dolphin base. The high relief decoration comprises three gaff rigged yachts racing,...

A beautifully engraved gilded and silvered copper religious memorial easel with Madonna & Child. It was made by F. Biscay & Cie of Paris, France. It features an easel back leg for st...

Traditional Shield Trophy, Art Deco Table Tennis Trophy, Chelmsford The is a traditional Oak and silver plated shield trophy very much in the Art Deco...

1 Volume. James Walter, Memorials of Washington. Edition de Luxe. Bound in 3/4 green morocco and linen boards with a gilt-tooled crest on the cover. The spines display gilt-tooled le...

A fine vintage Elizabeth II English cast sterling silver presentation trophy on oakwood plinth in the form of a Victorian soldier; an addition to our military related silverware collection. This fine vintage Elizabeth II English cast sterling silver trophy has been realistically modelled in the form of a crouching soldier holding a musket. The model is embellished with impressive cast details reproducing the fine details of the soldier's Victorian attire, including a dagger and ammo pouch to his belt. The sterling silver soldier is displayed on the original oak wood presentation plinth. The cuboid plinth is fitted with a vacant silver inscription band; the band may be engraved with a personal inscription if so desired. This fine presentation silver...