An American Silver Horse Race Trophy Punch Bowl, Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1873

shallow circular bowl with a die-rolled collar of laurel running through horseshoes, openwork raised handles each applied with a fully modeled figure of a jockey, screw-on reel-shaped foot applied with saddles, engraved on both sides with inscriptions, marked on base and numbered 3021-4612

interior has lost most of its gilding, one jockey lacks his riding crop but easy to replace, two mounts missing besides saddles, probably stirrups
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 inscriptions read: "The Travers Stake 1873 Won By Tom Bowling Donated By Wm Travers Esq New York", and "The Phoenix Hotel Stakes 1905 Won By Agile, Donated By John E. Madden Esq."

The stallion Tom Bowling was sired in 1870 by Lexington and Lucy Fowler.  Lexington was considered to be the greatest thoroughbred stallion in the 19th century and the leading sire in American from 1861-1877.  Tom Bowling was bred and raced by H.P. McGrath of Lexington, KY, and was known to be McGrath's pride and joy.  An account of Kentucky thoroughbreds by Robert Wickliffe Woolley notes that McGrath "treated him as if he were a king and entertained hundreds of friends in his honor."  Woolley also recounts that Tom Bowling was once slightly injured in a railroad accident and that McGrath refused an offer of $100,000 for the horse by the railroad company.  Turf authority B.G. Bruce stated that he once saw Tom Bowling complete the third quarter on a mile track in 19 1/2 seconds, a feat that no other horse ever approaced in his time.

The modeling of the jockeys is attributed to Eugene J. Soligny, the French-trained master chaser who began working for Tiffany & Co. in the 1870's.  His salary of $0.83/hour was three times the average salary of the other chasers, and solidifies his status as the firm's best chaser. Research conducted by Francis Gruber Safford asserts that Soligny's greatest skill appears to have been the creation of reliefs by shaping the metal with chasing tools.  Solginy is also known to have completed the modeling for The Jerome Park Race Cup of 1867 (sold Sotheby's, New York, 20 January 1998, lot 36), The Bryant Vase of 1876 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Comanche Trophy of 1876 (sold Sotheby's 20 January 1998, lot 35) .  The latter features nearly identical cross-legged jockeys in bas relief on the base.