The Princes Cup
James Young, Sr. (fl.1773)
Category
Silver
Date
1785
Materials
Silver-gilt
Measurements
330 mm (Height); 190 mm (Diameter)138 oz t (Wt)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Uppark House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 137858
Summary
A silver gilt racing cup and cover, the base decorated with vitruvian scroll incorporating rosettes, the stem with four quadrant panels containing fan motifs. The cup itself decorated in four bands, the lowest fluted and the third with vine leaf and grape band, the second and deepest panel with two oval medallions depicting (1) Bacchus and (2) Neptune; the medallions joined with swags. The top band with vitruvian scroll as per base, above this inscribed, 'The Princes Cup' and on the verso 'Uppark 1785'; the handles with acanthus decorations. The cover in four stages, the lowest with fan motifs in quadrants as per base, the cresting on the top stage is in the form of Prince of Wales' feathers issuing from a crown. London 1785 by James Young. Weight 138 oz. Inscribed under base, 'Pickett and Rundell', (this firm presumably handled the commission). The cup was won by Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh at Uppark races in July 1785. (See 'Uppark and Its People' pp.55 to 58). The races were a semi formal event held for several years on West Harting Down, a mile due west of Uppark. This particular race was a two heat contest in which six horses ran. Sir Harry himself rode his own Epaminondas and he beat the Prince of Wales' Nottingham (jockey Major Churchill) by three yards and then by half a neck. (Reported in 'The Craftsman' July 30, 1785).
Provenance
Purchased by the National Trust with the help of a grant from the Purchase Grant Fund, 1981.
Makers and roles
James Young, Sr. (fl.1773), maker