Victorian Horn Beaker, Silver Rim and Irish Harp Shield, London 1880
Victorian Horn Beaker, Silver Rim and Irish Harp Shield, London 1880
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Victorian Horn Beaker, Sterling Silver Rim and Applied Irish Harp Shield, London 1880
A natural cow horn beaker with a sterling silver rim mount and applied silver shield bearing the Irish harp, hallmarked London 1880 with maker's mark WN, possibly William Naylor. Horn beakers like this one were a British specialty from the 17th century onward, produced for use at sporting events, outdoor gatherings, and as personal travel cups. By the 1880s they were also made as presentation pieces and gentlemen's accessories. The applied harp on the shield is the national emblem of Ireland, widely used in Victorian Britain on regimental insignia, club trophies, and personal pieces for Irish families and associations. The horn body shows the characteristic mottled amber and dark tonal variation of polished bovine horn, and the silver rim is fitted with a triple-reeded collar that is typical of quality London smallwork of this decade.
The horn body has a vertical crack running several inches along the lower portion of the wall, visible clearly in photographs and apparent when the beaker is held. This is a substantive structural flaw. Horn naturally dries and splits over time, and this piece shows that process at an advanced stage. The crack does not go fully through the wall and the beaker currently holds its shape, but it is present and should be considered by any buyer. The upper portion of the horn body and the rim area are intact. The silver rim is in good condition with no significant dents or losses. The triple-reeded collar is crisp. The applied harp shield is secure and well-defined. The base disk is a replacement in plastic rather than the original glass or horn material. There is surface darkening and tonal variation across the horn body consistent with age and use. Overall condition is impaired by the crack; priced accordingly.
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