Jan 28, 2026 10:00 EST

Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture

 
Lot 102
 
Lot 102 - Anglo-Indian Horse Racing Interest: George III Sterling Silver Gilt Covered Two Handled Cup
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102

Anglo-Indian Horse Racing Interest: George III Sterling Silver Gilt Covered Two Handled Cup

William Bennett, London, 1814

The campana-form body with applied leaves and grape clusters, one side with horse race, the other engraved This cup Value 100 Guineas Given by Mr. Charles Forbes for Maiden Horse carrying 9 stone one three Mile Heat Won by Colonel Corsellis's GA. H. Trumpeter Beating Young Escape, Khaun, Chance, Present Occasion, Beverly Mufti and Hamlet Bycullah Course 6th Jany 1814, with upswept scroll handles, the cover with blossom finial. Height overall 14 3/4 inches (37.5 cm), approximately 111 ounces.

Sir Charles Forbes (1774–1849) was an important figure in establishing organized horse racing in Bombay. As the respected head of Forbes & Company Ltd., he co-founded the Bombay Turf Club (BTC) in 1802 with Captain G. Hall, A. Campbell, and P. Hadow. This group acquired land in Byculla, the most affluent district of British Bombay, to create a dedicated venue for formal race meetings moving the sport beyond its informal beginnings and establishing a structured institution that catered to the city's elite social life.
Forbes' leadership and financial backing were crucial to the BTC's success. He served as a key patron using his prominent position as a successful merchant and philanthropist to lend legitimacy and permanence to the club's operations. His contributions helped to build the infrastructure and social standing of horse racing in the region.
Forbes' legacy in Indian horse racing endures: The organization he helped establish evolved into the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which moved its premier location to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in 1883. In permanent recognition of their founding father, the RWITC continues to host the annual Sir Charles Forbes Trophy as a significant and respected fixture on the Mumbai racing calendar.
Given the Bombay Turf Club was founded only 12 years prior to the awarding of this prize, this trophy is an early and important piece of Indian sporting history. The expense of commissioning this piece in London and sending out to India in 1814 is fine example of the dedication to sport by the founders of the club.

English & Continental Silver

   

Estimate
$6,000 - $9,000
 

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William Bennett, London, 1814

The campana-form body with applied leaves and grape clusters, one side with horse race, the other engraved This cup Value 100 Guineas Given by Mr. Charles Forbes for Maiden Horse carrying 9 stone one three Mile Heat Won by Colonel Corsellis's GA. H. Trumpeter Beating Young Escape, Khaun, Chance, Present Occasion, Beverly Mufti and Hamlet Bycullah Course 6th Jany 1814, with upswept scroll handles, the cover with blossom finial. Height overall 14 3/4 inches (37.5 cm), approximately 111 ounces.

Sir Charles Forbes (1774–1849) was an important figure in establishing organized horse racing in Bombay. As the respected head of Forbes & Company Ltd., he co-founded the Bombay Turf Club (BTC) in 1802 with Captain G. Hall, A. Campbell, and P. Hadow. This group acquired land in Byculla, the most affluent district of British Bombay, to create a dedicated venue for formal race meetings moving the sport beyond its informal beginnings and establishing a structured institution that catered to the city's elite social life.
Forbes' leadership and financial backing were crucial to the BTC's success. He served as a key patron using his prominent position as a successful merchant and philanthropist to lend legitimacy and permanence to the club's operations. His contributions helped to build the infrastructure and social standing of horse racing in the region.
Forbes' legacy in Indian horse racing endures: The organization he helped establish evolved into the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which moved its premier location to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in 1883. In permanent recognition of their founding father, the RWITC continues to host the annual Sir Charles Forbes Trophy as a significant and respected fixture on the Mumbai racing calendar.
Given the Bombay Turf Club was founded only 12 years prior to the awarding of this prize, this trophy is an early and important piece of Indian sporting history. The expense of commissioning this piece in London and sending out to India in 1814 is fine example of the dedication to sport by the founders of the club.

English & Continental Silver

   

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Auction: Old Master Paintings / Silver / English & Continental Furniture, Jan 28, 2026

  • Auction of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 10am

  • Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions

  • We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection


NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle will hold an auction of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 10am. The auction will present works spanning the 16th through 19th centuries, including portraits, still lifes and landscapes, along with religious, historical and mythological subjects. 

Featured in the sale is Anthropomorphic Landscape attributed to Matthäus Merian. Anthropomorphic landscapes--imaginary views of natural scenery that appear to resemble the faces of people--were much in vogue in European art during the 16th and early 17th centuries. When this painting was first discovered by Alfred Barr in 1930 it was thought to be by the Italian Mannerist artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593). However when the work was cleaned and restored in 1954, an inscription attributing it to the Swiss engraver Matthäus Merian (1593-1650) came to light. It was soon shown that its composition is closely related to an engraving of a similar anthropomorphic landscape created by Merian in 1624, which suggests that it may have been the artist’s preiminary sketch for that work.

Additional Categories in the Sale
Special sections of the sale will also showcase English & Continental Silver (Read More) on Wednesday, January 28 and English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts (Read More) on Thursday, January 29.

SALE NOTICE
This sale will be presented as a live auction event conducted by an auctioneer. Place your bids conveniently using the following convenient methods:

  • In Person
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