Bonhams 1793 : An American sterling silver two-handled "Four-in-Hand" trophyby Whiting Mfg. Co., New York, New York, circa 1886

The body with acid-etched and chased presentation inscription: "NAAA 1886/ Won By/ Mr. Pierre Lorillard" and opposed by: "Best Four-in-Hand TCAM/ First Prize", the handles headed by molded and chased scrolling husks, weight approximately 60 oz troy.
height 10 1/4in (26cm); length over handles 11 3/4in (29.8cm)

Sold for US$ 7,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

Pierre Lorillard IV (1833-1901) was a pre-eminent sportsman in addition to his stature in New York and Newport society and business. His stud farms bred racehorses, trotters and carriage horses and he achieved international renown in 1881 when his colt "Iriquois" became the first American-born winner of the English Derby at Epsom Downs. Lorillard took the reins himself during driving competitions, where he proved himself a formidable competitor.

A photograph in the collection of the Tuxedo Park Library (no. 5328-01) shows Lorillard with a four-in-hand team; the photograph is dated to within a few years of his winning the cup offered here.

The NAAA horse show was the precursor to the preeminent Madison Square Garden show.

Category: Decorative Arts / Silver

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