Art Deco silver trophy

Impressive and imposing silver trophy cup and cover from the Art Deco period featuring finely detailed sections of acanthus leaves on handles and finial, as well as sections of applied rope pattern mounts. It sits on an ebonised wood base.

The word trophy, coined in English in 1550, was derived from the French trophée in 1513 - a prize of war. In ancient Greece, trophies were made on the battlefields while the Romans built magnificent trophies in Rome, including columns and arches and huge stone memorials.

While trophies have marked victories since ancient times, today a trophy is a tangible, durable reminder of a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies in the form of silver chalices, or two-handled cups, are popular items presented to winners of sporting events and include some of the world's most famous trophy cups: The FA Cup, Wimbledon Trophy (two-handled cup), Webb Ellis Cup, Ryder Cup and the British Grand Prix Trophy.