3-034-538 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Brighton Race Cup, 1871. 'The prize cup won at Brighton Races, last Wednesday, is a very handsome vase of silver, partly gilt, which, stands nearly 3 ft. high. It is richly decorated with modern English ornament, the chief elements of which are two natural types - laurel and sea-holly. The two dolphins which figure on the armorial escutcheon of the town of Brighton are introduced into the design. The sculpture on the front panel is a group of figures representing an incident in the history of the Earl de Warrenne, lord of the manors of Lewes and Brighthelmstone in the year 1276. He was a descendant of that De Warrenne, a Norman knight or Baron, who married Lady Eleanor, daughter of William the Conqueror, soon after the Battle of Hastings...The two handles of this vase are supported by Naiads, symbolical of the marine situation of the town of Brighton; the button on the cover consists of an allegorical representation of "The Victory of Speed." The vase is mounted on an ebonised base, the upper part of which is surrounded by six pillars with gilt caps and bases, inclosing a fringe representing "The Race".' From "Illustrated London News", 1871.