This exceptional antique sterling silver goblet has a circular bell-shaped form onto a knopped stem and domed circular foot.
The body of this antique Victorian silver goblet is embellished with exceptional cast and applied oval scene depicting details of gentlemen armed with swords and rifles, amidst trees and foliage.
The opposing side of the goblet incorporates a cast and applied oak leaf festoon bordered cartouche embellished with the contemporary engraved inscription '18th Staffordshire Kingswinford Rifle Volunteers Challenge Cup, Presented to the Corps on Novr 1st 1861 by Captain Mathews, Lietenant Pearson and Ensign Sparrow'*.
The drinking vessel surmounts a waisted knopped pedestal to a circular domed foot.
* The 18th (Kingswinford) Staffordshire Rifle Volunteer Corps was formed on 21st February 1860 as an infantry unit of the Volunteer Force, which was later consolidated and was subsumed into the Territorial Force as The North Midland Divisional Engineers at the beginning of the 20th century.
Date: 1862
