ASPREY SOLID SILVER GILT, LAPIS LAZULI & ENAMEL QATAR SAILING TROPHY CUP
Modern William Asprey Solid Silver partially gilt, lapis lazuli, diamonds, mother of pearl and enamel "Oryx Cup" Sailing Trophy. The cup is exceptionally large, unique and magnificent piece, the body modelled as four stylized sails, the circular gilt frame enclosing rotating terrestrial globe, all within a slanting band, the surface with silver and pink enamelled bands, the star-shaped finial set with diamonds, the raised square base inlaid with lapis lazuli and mother of pearl simulating waves, the silver band below engraved on one side "The Orix Cup". Hallmarked English silver (925), London, year 2004 (e), Maker's mark WRA for William & Son.
Reference Number: A0990
Description
Modern William Asprey Solid Silver partially gilt, lapis lazuli, diamonds, mother of pearl and enamel "Oryx Cup" Sailing Trophy. The cup is exceptionally large (61 cm tall, 8,230 Kilos), unique and magnificent piece, the body modelled as four stylized sails, the circular gilt frame enclosing rotating terrestrial globe, all within a slanting band, the surface with silver and pink enamelled bands, the star-shaped finial set with diamonds, the raised square base inlaid with lapis lazuli and mother of pearl simulating waves, the silver band below engraved on one side "The Orix Cup". Hallmarked English silver (925 Standard), London, year 2004 (e), Maker's mark WRA (William & Son, company founded in 1999 by William Asprey and his business partner Scott Luard, to continue the Asprey family tradition of producing and retailing luxury products).
The Oryx Quest Race, organised by the British sailor Tracy Edwards and sponsored by Quatar Sport International, then headed by the Heir Apparent of Qatar, was the first round-the-world race for the world's fastest maxi-hulls to begin and end in the Middle East. Crews faced the Southern Ocean, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn before returning to the Gulf of Arabia: of the four crews starting the race only two finished. Anyway, due to financial and organizational problems, the cup was never awarded.
Condition
In Great Condition - No damage, just general wear.
Size
Height: 61cm
Width: 23.5cm
Weight: 8230g