3-021-464 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Crusaders' Challenge Cup for the Colombo Races, 1869. 'Messrs. Ellis Brothers, silversmiths, of High-street, Exeter - the firm whose head is Mr. H. S. Ellis, now Mayor of that city - have manufactured an elegant challenge cup for the races at Colombo, in Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]. The commission was executed for Mr. Beauchamp Downhall, of Colombo. The cup rests on a square pedestal of Devonshire marble; on each side of the pedestal is a large Maltese silver cross. Neatly engraved on one of these crosses is the following: "The Crusaders' Challenge Cup, presented by the Crusaders, Colombo, 1868." The cup and base stand about 34 in. high. On one side of the cup, in bas-relief, artistically wrought, is represented the encounter of Saladin and Richard Coeur de Lion, taken from Sir Walter Scott's "Crusaders." On the reverse is a battle scene, also in bas-relief - an illustration from Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," Two winged horses, in frosted silver, serve as handles. On the cover, surmounting the whole, is the figure of a crusader in full armour, with visor up, on horseback, exquisitely modelled, and also in frosted silver. As a whole, it is a work of art of great merit'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.