THE MORRELL TROPHY: A rare monumental Victorian silver trophy / centrepiece

Robert Garrard, London 1858, also stamped R & S GARRARD PANTON ST

Footnotes

This represents one of the largest and finest examples of the Victorian craze for diorama trophies. They first became popular in the 1840s. The design and manufacture of grand presentation silver reached the peak of its popularity in the mid-19th century and were typically manufactured by the leading silversmiths at the time, such as the lot on offer here by Royal Goldsmiths Garrard, and other prominent silver manufacturers, such as Hancock's, Hunt & Roskell and Elkington.

One commentator in 1850 was so impressed by such trophies and reported:
'In no branch of the Fine Arts have the artists of this country made greater progress than in the art of modelling statuettes, and more particularly in modelling groups in which horses and animals are introduced; and in nothing have the artisans employed in the higher branches of manufacture reached a higher reputation than in the manufacture of the designs of artists in the precious metals. It may, indeed, be called a national art, and a national manufacture, by which such beautiful and classic illustrations of ancient fables and historical events have been the means of decorating vases, cups, and such prizes...'

This imposing presentation centrepiece was gifted to James Morrell owner of the Morrell's brewing company, also known as the Lion Brewery, Oxford's largest brewery and presented to Morrell as Master of The Old Berkshire Hunt. James Morrell was Master of the hunt between 1847 and 1858.
When Morrell decided to give up the 'country' hunt in the spring of 1857, it was in a series of meetings agreed to present Mr. Morrell with a suitable testimonial in appreciation of the efficient and liberal manner in which he had hunted the country for the past ten years, and a committee was formed and subscription list opened with that object.
It is recorded 'A handsome testimonial was subscribed for Mr. Morrell on his retirement, and presented to him at Abingdon in the following November.'

The Old Berkshire Hunt, The "Old Berks" continues to this day and dates back to 1830 in its present form but it's history dates to around 1760 with the Rev. John Loder being the first Master.
Originally the Hunt is a historical fox hunting club in Oxfordshire.

James Morrell Jnr (1810 - 1863) was of Headington Hill Hall, Oxford. The Morrell family house of Headington Hill Hall was built in 1824, inherited from his father in 1855 James Morrell Jnr began extending the building to create the grand Italianate mansion that still stands today, together with landscaped grounds and an arboretum.

James Morrell Junior was born 22 March 1810, he married Alicia Everett at the parish church of St George Hanover Square in London on 27 November 1851 and their only child, Emily Alicia, was born in 1854.

James Morrell died at Headington Hill on 12 September 1863 at the age of 53 and was buried in the family vault in St Clement's churchyard, his funeral was attended by over 2000 people.
'He was not only noted for his liberality to the rich, but for his consideration for the poor.'
Mr. Morrell, was notably a J.P. (Justice of the Peace) and D.L. (Deputy Lieutenant) of Oxfordshire and was High Sheriff in 1853. Reference The London Gazette. 8 February 1853. p. 329.

In 1953 following the Second World War when the house was used as a military hospital the Morrell family sold Headington Hill Hall and lands to Oxford City Council.
Until recently the Morrell trophy was being exhibited at the Oxford Town Hall.

Literature: See The History of the Old Berks Hunt, 1760-1904 by F C Loder-Symonds and E Percy Crowdy (Vinton & Co Ltd, 1905).
Chapter on John Morrell, Chapter XI pages 193 – 208, Mr John Morrell, 1847 to 1858.