{"id":5592314249366,"title":"Antique Japanese Silver Presentation Jug \u0026 Cover, Horse Racing \u0026 The Philippines Interest, Meiji Period, Japan – Circa 1880","handle":"antique-japanese-silver-presentation-jug-cover-horse-racing-the-philippines-interest-meiji-period-japan-circa-1880","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis large, elegant and finely crafted antique silver wine jug has been used as a presentation trophy for a horse race, held in Manila, The Philippines, in 1886.  The inscription makes it historically interesting, particularly to enthusiasts of the early years of horse racing and the development of this sport within Asia and The Philippines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jug was made in Japan during the Meiji period, when the Japanese were amongst the best and most skilful in the world at hand crafted metal work.  Made from high grade silver, the workmanship is exquisite and of the highest possible quality.  The trophy has been signed to the base by the Japanese maker, Konoike or Kounoike. (Please refer to the photo of the character mark).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lidded wine jug is of classical shape with a finely decorated finial and scroll handle and a wonderfully executed coiled serpent rising up from around the base.  The deeply chased floral band around the widest part of the jug, ornamented with flowers, birds and leaves, showcases the maker’s great skill and is of particular merit. The jug is in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription reads:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘MANILA 1886\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOPA CELESTIAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eH.ASHTON’S MONTE Ridden by G.C. Pakenham’,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Manila Jockey Club was the first racing club in Southeast Asia, formed in the summer of 1867 by a group of sportsmen led by Jose de la Gandara y Navarro, then Spanish Governor General of the Philippines.  The 100\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esocios fondadores\u003c\/em\u003e, as the founders of the Manila Jockey Club were called in the language of the times, were predominantly members of the affluent Filipino, Spanish and English families living in Manila in the 19th century. The club was organised purely for recreation; there was no betting. Members held what would now be called “fun runs,” racing their mounts on a straight course from San Sebastian Church to Quiapo Church, a distance of about a quarter of a mile. The races were held only once a year, in April or May, with participants vying for tokens — gold and silver medals, watches and other ornaments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome members bred horses, favouring the Philippine pony; this, though small, possessed great pedigree, having sprung from a formidable line of Sulu, Indian and Chinese horses and mustangs from Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1880 the races moved from Quiapo to rural Santa Mesa, next to the Pasig River. Beginning in 1881, English style oval racing was adopted, with the horses racing clockwise around the Santa Mesa Hippodrome and twice yearly race meetings, each lasting four successive days. At first, only members of the Club — the gentlemen riders — could compete in the “carreras\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eofficiales\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003c\/em\u003e .  Later, professional jockeys were allowed to ride in two of the average eight races of the day. In 1886, the date that this trophy was awarded, the mounts were Philippine ponies with Arabian horses taking over around the turn of the century and following the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Silver trophies and medals imported from Hong Kong were normally offered as prizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePondering the pony’s name, we feel it is probable that his name was Monte and he belonged to an H Ashton. The owner was probably Harold Ashton, listed as a partner of Holliday Wise \u0026amp; Co, Manila from 1874.  Holliday Wise \u0026amp; Co had offices next to the Pasig River and were a British trading firm based in Manila from 1845 with headquarters in Liverpool. Established by Robert Wise in 1826, its initial business was to export British silks to the Orient, at a time when the British industrial revolution manufactured clothing for global export.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePakenham’s name (the jockey) appears in the book, “The Manila Club” by Angus L Campbell, listed as a member under “Earliest Years of Membership” where it simply states “Pakenham 1882”.  Further research has revealed the jockey to be Gustavus Conolly Pakenham, who was born 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOctober 1856 and died in Cheltenham, England in 1924.  Gustavus is described as a gentleman who was the second, but eldest surviving, son of George Dent Pakenham, Captain of the 4\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBengal Lancers, by his second wife, Elizabeth Hume.  It is believed he was involved in the camphor trade. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1889, it is known that Gustavus married Ella Compton Bayne, only daughter of William George Bayne of Japan.  W G Bayne later became the Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council, serving between 1902 and 1904.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSources show that G C Pakenham lived in Kobe, Japan, where he was an attache, up until at least 1913 with his wife Ella and their four children. He was a keen sportsman and President of the Kobe Cricket Club.  Ella died in Kobe in 1913 and Gustavus remarried in 1918 but had no further children with his second wife, Louisa. Gustavus and Louisa took up residence in Cheltenham, England, where Gustavus died in 1924, followed by Louisa in 1931.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1971, a devastating fire swept through the Manila Jockey Club and through the Trophy Room, destroying silverware including the Gran Copa de Manila, the trophy for the most famous race in the Philippine racing calendar, and today only a replica of this is displayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very fine trophy celebrating the Copa Celestial of 1886 is a magnificent example of Meiji silver and an exceedingly rare survivor from the earliest years of horse racing in The Philippines and South East Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e        UK art market\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSize:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e                           Height: 37 cms, width: 14 cms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWeight:                   \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e1978 grammes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReferences:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAngus L Campbell, The Manila Club: A Social History of the British in Manila, St Paul’s Press 1993\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Manila Jockey Club: 130 Years of Horse Racing in Southeast Asia, The Manila Jockey Club, Manila 1997\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJenny Ortuoste, A Short History of the Manila Jockey Club, Gogirl Racing 2006\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA C Fox-Davies, Armorial Families, A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, Fifth Edition, T C \u0026amp; E C Jack, Edinburgh 1905\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentenary of Wise and company in the Philippines, 1826-1926, Wise \u0026amp; Co, Manila 1926\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngland \u0026amp; Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858 – 1966\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngland \u0026amp; Wales Death Index, 1916 – 2007\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-08-09T22:11:28+01:00","created_at":"2020-08-09T22:11:26+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"Presentation Jug","tags":["Sold Archive"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":35688859173014,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-PRES-06923","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Antique Japanese Silver Presentation Jug \u0026 Cover, Horse Racing \u0026 The Philippines Interest, Meiji Period, Japan – Circa 1880","public_title":null,"options":["Default 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phcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/LIU575_2016-07-04-joseph-112.jpg?v=1597007490"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":768,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/LIU575_2016-07-04-joseph-112.jpg?v=1597007490","width":768},{"alt":null,"id":10620503490710,"position":11,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":768,"width":768,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/LA_2016-07-04-joseph-113.jpg?v=1597007490"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":768,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/LA_2016-07-04-joseph-113.jpg?v=1597007490","width":768}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis large, elegant and finely crafted antique silver wine jug has been used as a presentation trophy for a horse race, held in Manila, The Philippines, in 1886.  The inscription makes it historically interesting, particularly to enthusiasts of the early years of horse racing and the development of this sport within Asia and The Philippines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jug was made in Japan during the Meiji period, when the Japanese were amongst the best and most skilful in the world at hand crafted metal work.  Made from high grade silver, the workmanship is exquisite and of the highest possible quality.  The trophy has been signed to the base by the Japanese maker, Konoike or Kounoike. (Please refer to the photo of the character mark).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lidded wine jug is of classical shape with a finely decorated finial and scroll handle and a wonderfully executed coiled serpent rising up from around the base.  The deeply chased floral band around the widest part of the jug, ornamented with flowers, birds and leaves, showcases the maker’s great skill and is of particular merit. The jug is in excellent condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription reads:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘MANILA 1886\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOPA CELESTIAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eH.ASHTON’S MONTE Ridden by G.C. Pakenham’,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Manila Jockey Club was the first racing club in Southeast Asia, formed in the summer of 1867 by a group of sportsmen led by Jose de la Gandara y Navarro, then Spanish Governor General of the Philippines.  The 100\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003esocios fondadores\u003c\/em\u003e, as the founders of the Manila Jockey Club were called in the language of the times, were predominantly members of the affluent Filipino, Spanish and English families living in Manila in the 19th century. The club was organised purely for recreation; there was no betting. Members held what would now be called “fun runs,” racing their mounts on a straight course from San Sebastian Church to Quiapo Church, a distance of about a quarter of a mile. The races were held only once a year, in April or May, with participants vying for tokens — gold and silver medals, watches and other ornaments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome members bred horses, favouring the Philippine pony; this, though small, possessed great pedigree, having sprung from a formidable line of Sulu, Indian and Chinese horses and mustangs from Mexico.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1880 the races moved from Quiapo to rural Santa Mesa, next to the Pasig River. Beginning in 1881, English style oval racing was adopted, with the horses racing clockwise around the Santa Mesa Hippodrome and twice yearly race meetings, each lasting four successive days. At first, only members of the Club — the gentlemen riders — could compete in the “carreras\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eofficiales\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e“\u003c\/em\u003e .  Later, professional jockeys were allowed to ride in two of the average eight races of the day. In 1886, the date that this trophy was awarded, the mounts were Philippine ponies with Arabian horses taking over around the turn of the century and following the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Silver trophies and medals imported from Hong Kong were normally offered as prizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePondering the pony’s name, we feel it is probable that his name was Monte and he belonged to an H Ashton. The owner was probably Harold Ashton, listed as a partner of Holliday Wise \u0026amp; Co, Manila from 1874.  Holliday Wise \u0026amp; Co had offices next to the Pasig River and were a British trading firm based in Manila from 1845 with headquarters in Liverpool. Established by Robert Wise in 1826, its initial business was to export British silks to the Orient, at a time when the British industrial revolution manufactured clothing for global export.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePakenham’s name (the jockey) appears in the book, “The Manila Club” by Angus L Campbell, listed as a member under “Earliest Years of Membership” where it simply states “Pakenham 1882”.  Further research has revealed the jockey to be Gustavus Conolly Pakenham, who was born 27\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eOctober 1856 and died in Cheltenham, England in 1924.  Gustavus is described as a gentleman who was the second, but eldest surviving, son of George Dent Pakenham, Captain of the 4\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBengal Lancers, by his second wife, Elizabeth Hume.  It is believed he was involved in the camphor trade. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1889, it is known that Gustavus married Ella Compton Bayne, only daughter of William George Bayne of Japan.  W G Bayne later became the Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council, serving between 1902 and 1904.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSources show that G C Pakenham lived in Kobe, Japan, where he was an attache, up until at least 1913 with his wife Ella and their four children. He was a keen sportsman and President of the Kobe Cricket Club.  Ella died in Kobe in 1913 and Gustavus remarried in 1918 but had no further children with his second wife, Louisa. Gustavus and Louisa took up residence in Cheltenham, England, where Gustavus died in 1924, followed by Louisa in 1931.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1971, a devastating fire swept through the Manila Jockey Club and through the Trophy Room, destroying silverware including the Gran Copa de Manila, the trophy for the most famous race in the Philippine racing calendar, and today only a replica of this is displayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very fine trophy celebrating the Copa Celestial of 1886 is a magnificent example of Meiji silver and an exceedingly rare survivor from the earliest years of horse racing in The Philippines and South East Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e        UK art market\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSize:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e                           Height: 37 cms, width: 14 cms\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWeight:                   \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e1978 grammes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReferences:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAngus L Campbell, The Manila Club: A Social History of the British in Manila, St Paul’s Press 1993\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Manila Jockey Club: 130 Years of Horse Racing in Southeast Asia, The Manila Jockey Club, Manila 1997\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJenny Ortuoste, A Short History of the Manila Jockey Club, Gogirl Racing 2006\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA C Fox-Davies, Armorial Families, A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-Armour, Fifth Edition, T C \u0026amp; E C Jack, Edinburgh 1905\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentenary of Wise and company in the Philippines, 1826-1926, Wise \u0026amp; Co, Manila 1926\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngland \u0026amp; Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858 – 1966\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngland \u0026amp; Wales Death Index, 1916 – 2007\u003c\/p\u003e"}