An unusual piece of Cheshire hunting history goes under the hammer next month in Surrey.
The Tarporley Hunt Cup, a magnificent, antique, silver trophy, is expected to raise up to £1,800 when it is auctioned at Ewbank Clarke Gammon Wellers saleroom in Send on 9 December.
“This cup is a remarkable survivor from the 19th century, and has quite an amazing history,” antiques expert Christopher Proudlove told H&H.
The foot-high trophy is decorated with horse drawn chariots and classical figures, and is inscribed with the words, ‘Tarporley Hunt 1858’, and the winners ‘James Platt, Welsh Heiress’, inscribed on the back.
The cup is being sold by a descendent of Mr Platt. Specialists at the Surrey auctioneers believe it was made by Irish silversmith James le Bass, in Dublin in 1832.
Tarporley Hunt Club, thought to be the oldest hunt club in the world, was established in 1762.
Its first members were nine young men who met at weekends to hunt in the countryside surrounding Tarporley in Cheshire — but its name lives on as a dining club.
The auction is taking place on 9 December, and bidders will be able to participate online in real-time. For more information, contact the auctioneers on 01483 223101
