The Doncaster Races 1798: A George III Silver-gilt Large Two-handled Cup and Cover, Paul Storr, London, 1798

of vase form, the body applied on one side with a plaquette cast and chased with two horses and jockeys speeding to the finish surrounded by ribbon-tied acanthus tendrils suspending grapevine, the opposite side matched by an oval frame with contemporary victory inscription, the rim with a cast band of Vitruvian scrolling foliage linking winged demi-figures with crossed arms above tripod lamps, the lower body embossed with vertical feathers, the leaf-capped reeded handles decorated with oak pendants, the domed foot and cover each chased with matted stiff leaves, the former with a band of berried laurel, the latter surmounted by a well-modeled figure of a trumpeting Victory, marked on base, cover and finial, the cover signed MAKEPEACE  FECIT

fracture in one wing of Victory, her right hand probably held a torch, therwise crisp, gilding probably original, superb object
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscription on the rim of the cup reads: "Doncaster, 1798 the HONBLE. EDWARD HARVEY HAWKE and JOHN SAVILE FOLJAMBE ESQR. STEWARDS". 

The inscription on the body reads:
"Won by
Sir Frank Standish's
STAMFORD
at 4 Years old own Brother to
Mr. Teazel and Arch Duke
got by Sir Peter out of Horatia
by Eclipse out of Delpine's
Dam."

Frank Standish, of Duxbury, was the 3rd Baronet on whose decease without issue on 18 May 1812, the Baronetcy became extinct and the estate devolved upon his cousin Frank Hall who assumed the name of Standish.

Of the two Stewards, the Hon. Edward Harvey Hawke succeeded to the Baron Hawke of Towton in 1805.  He was born in 1774 and married in 1798 Frances Anne, 2nd daughter and eventual heiress of Stanhope Harvey of Womersley.  John Savile Foljambe of Aldwarke was born in 1776, married in 1798 Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. James Willoughby, Rector of Guiseley, brother of Henry, 4th Lord Middleton.  He died in 1805.

Stamford, a throughbred brown colt born in 1794, won eleven races including the Doncaster Cup twice and the King's Plate.  He was 2nd in the 1797 St. Leger and the Jockey Club Stakes.  Known as a broodmare sire, Stamford's many offspring included Lady Rachel (dam to Fleur-de-Lis which won twenty times including the Doncaster Stakes, the Doncaster Cup, the Goodwin Cup, the Oatlands Handicup Stakes, Epsom's Craven and others), Emily (dam to Emilia and Derby-winner and two-time Leading Sire Emilius), Diana (dam of Actaeon, winner of the Richmond Cup), Miss Cantley (dam of Beiram and Mecca), Belvorina (winner of the July stakes), and Maria.

The race cups of the late 18th century for the major races were an opportunity for a silversmith to produce his highest quality work, such as the Richmond cup of 1766 designed by Robert Adam and made obyDaniel Smith and Robert Sharp.  The Doncaster Gold Cup of 1828 by Emes and Barnard was modeled after the famou Buckingham Vase, the 46in. marble vase excavated from Hadrian's Villa by Gavin Hamilton in 1769, and engraved by Piranesi in 1778 (See Rowe, Adam Silver, 1965, p. 35-36 and Lomax, British Silver at Temple Newsam, 1992, pp. 27-29).

The signature Makepeace Fecit is that of the retailer Robert Makepeace II, apprenticed to his father 1776, free 1778.  He entered his maker's mark with his brother Thomas II in 1794 with the address Serle Street Lincoln's Inn Fields.  The second mark, alone entered in January 1795.  He beccame warden in 1812-14 and prime warden in 1814.