Stephen Smith
(English, active mid-19th century)
Monumental Silver Trophy Cup
London, 1866
Sterling silver, repoussé and chased, gilt interior
Height: 24 in. | Weight: 142 troy oz.
Hallmarked: SS (Stephen Smith), London, date letter for 1866
This extraordinary Victorian trophy cup stands as a testament to the grandeur and storytelling ambition of 19th-century British silverwork. Rising from a richly decorated base of laurel wreaths, thistles, and roses, the bell-form stem is adorned with four sculpted deer heads beneath cascading garlands. The cup itself is densely repoussé with a dramatic Medieval battle scene—knights in full armor jousting amid a wooded landscape. Ornate Rococo-style handles terminate in horse heads, while the lid is crowned with a finely cast mounted knight. The interior is richly gilded, enhancing the piece's visual opulence and ceremonial presence. Crafted by London silversmith Stephen Smith, this monumental object reflects both technical mastery and a Romantic fascination with chivalry and national identity.
Provenance:
Accompanied by a 1967 appraisal in the name of Lord William Alabaster, valuing the piece at £18,750—equivalent to over $560,000 USD today.
