Historic Victorian sterling silver rowing trophy bowl hallmarked London 1894 by top silversmiths Mappin & Webb.
The bowl, which is gilded internally, is decorated with a wrythen-fluted pattern in repousse style. It has been engraved as one of the four main prizes at the prestigious Metropolitan Amateur Regatta in 1895, a competition second only to Henley Royal Regatta in the rowing calendar. The first three finishers were arguably the top three rowers in the world in this era; Rupert Guinness, Vivian Nickalls & his brother, Guy Nickalls. THe engraving on the bowl reads:
"METROPOLITAN AMATEUR REGATTA LONDON CUP. 1. R. GUINNESS. 2. V. NICKALLS. 3. GUY NICKALLS. 4. A.E. THOMSON. 5. BLACKSTAFF".
NOTE: From my research I discovered a press cutting from a New York newspaper published shortly after the race in 1895 which confirmed that the rower finishing 4th, A.E. Thomson, was a member of the Toronto Rowing Club.
Included with the trophy bowl is a photo reprint depicting Rupert Guinness together with printouts of the Wikipedia pages relating to Rupert Guinness, Vivian Nickalls & Guy Nickalls.
Sterling Silver Trophy Bowl: Weight: 681.5 gm. Height: 110 mm. Diameter of rim: 225 mm. Diameter of base: 140 mm. Hall Mark: London 1894. Maker's Mark: Mappin & Webb (John Newton Mappin).
Metropolitan Regatta: Established in 1866 the Metropolitan Regatta is an international rowing regatta which takes place on Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames. It attracts crews from schools, clubs and universities from around the UK, Europe & the USA. The event's first honorary secretary was Charles Dickens Jr.
The four original trophies were as follows:
1. The Metropolitan Champion Cup for the Mens Elite Eights.
2. The Thames Cup for the Mens Elite Coxless Fours.
3. The London Cup for the Mens Elite Single Sculls.
4. The Metropolitan Challenge Cup for the Mens Senior 3 Eights.
Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh, KG,CB, CMG,VD,ADC,FRS,DL (29th March 1874 - 14th September 1967): An Anglo-Irish businessman, politician, oarsman & philanthropist.
Rupert Guinness began rowing at Eton winning the school sculls in 1892 and was part of the Eton eight which won the Ladies'Challenge Plate at Henley Royal Regatta in 1893. After joining the Leander Club he womn the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley in 1895 & 1896 as well as the Wingfield Sculls, for the Amateur Sculling Championship of the Thames & Great Britain, in 1896.
He was President of the Thames Rowing Club from 1911 until his death in 1967 and was also the first President of the Remenham Club, from 1914 until 1938.
Vivian Nickalls (1871 - 1947): A British rower who won the Wingfield Sculls three times and the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta.
Vivian rowed with his brother Guy for Oxford University in the University Boat Race in 1891 and with his brother he won the Silver Goblets at Henley in 1894, 1895 & 1896.
Guy Nickalls (1866 - 1935): A British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics as a member of the British eight that won gold and also won 22 events at Henley Royal Regatta between 1885 and 1907 & won the Wingfield Sculls three times in 1887, 1888 & 1889. One of the greatest rowers of his generation.
Summary: As can be seen from the photos & history (above) this is an historic rowing trophy won by Rupert Guinness with Vivian Nickalls in second place & his brother Guy, third, three of the foremost rowers of the 1890s. Of museum quality it is a significant piece of rowing memorabilia. Good luck!