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

The Property of a Distinguished Private Collection

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

   

Sold for $19,200
Estimated at $6,000 - $9,000

Includes Buyer's Premium


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The Property of a Distinguished Private Collection

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

   

Generally good condition overall; light rubbing and wear to gilding; the cover interior with a small patch to rim where probably once fit a ladle; engraved arms to foot and cover; good detail to decoration; small gouge under hallmark on body; good detail to decoration; good heavy gauge

Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.

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

  • Miniature Work by Giacomo Guardi Leads Sale of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026

  • 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’s auction of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings, Drawings & Prints on January 28, 2026 delivered some exceptional results amid international bidding. The sale presented works spanning the 16th through 19th centuries, including portraits, still lifes and landscapes, along with religious, historical and mythological subjects.

The star of the Old Master paintings was a very fine miniature architectural view by the Venetian artist Giacomo Guardi (1764–1835), after a much larger work by his illustrious father, Francesco Guardi. Showing an intriguing view of a small city square from the shadows of a Renaissance arcade, this delightful gem measuring 5 1/8 x 3 15/16 inches sold for $14,080, a surprising price for a miniature work.

Also featured was Anthropomorphic Landscape attributed to Matthäus Merianthat, which realized $8,960. 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 preliminary sketch for that work.

Old Master prints were highlighted by four hand-colored engravings by Basilius Besler (1561–1629) from Hortus Eystettensis (The Garden of Eichstätt), which sold for $10,240. Published in 1613, Hortus Eystettensis is a landmark botanical masterpiece, featuring hundreds of finely detailed engravings that document the extensive gardens of Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen in Bavaria.

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

We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.

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