Henry Wilkinson Antique Sterling Silver Dog Trophy Glass Bottom Cann, London, 1872/73

This fun cann or mug was an award presented to an English spaniel named Juno (also known as Wonder) who was owned by William Lort. (1) The tapered, cylindrical body has an attached 'C' scroll handle and an uncommon, original glass bottom. It is totally unadorned and engraved with the following inscription:

WON, TOGETHER WITH
THE NEWTON STAKES
BY
JUNO
THE PROPERTY OF
W. LORT ESQre
AT THE
Devon & Cornwall Field Stakes
21st April 1875

The Devon & Cornwall Field Stakes were sporting dog competitions which scored dog's merits up to a maximum score of 100 based on Pace and range, Obedience, Style in hunting, Game finding capabilities, Style in pointing and Merit in backing. (2)

Mr. Lort's Juno, by Roll, won. Juno and Clown were a very near match, each flushing birds and also finding very well. Their pace was nearly the same, the dog having a trifling advantage, but showing a bad style of going, and not being so steady on his point, or so thoroughly broken in other respects. At last, in a fine piece of seeds, the bitch made a good point, but the dog rushing in and putting up the birds, the decision went against him on that score, It being now nearly seven o'clock, the remainder of the stake was postponed until Tuesday. Tuesday. The meet was at East Ogwell, on a vast tract of country of the same character as that of the first day, but with even a smaller stock of birds, if that was possible. There was even a worse scent than the previous day's, and very few good points were made, those by Duke and Scamp being, however, exceedingly fine. The first brace put down was the second pair in the Newton Stakes, May and Belton. Each flushed birds at first, but Belton afterwards found well, and his superior pace and style, after a longish trial, put the bitch hors de combat. Rose also went but moderately, and at last, Juno and Belton being left in with an equal number of points, the two were put down together to fight it out. For some time nothing was done, Juno getting on pheasants and standing them steadily, but not in good style, while the dog flushed a brace of birds under a hedge without much demerit, but he also broke fence several times, which decided the fate against him, and Juno was declared the winner.(3)

This lovely award is fully hallmarked, measures 5 inches high, weighs 13.30 troy ounces (glass inclusive) and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnotes:

1. The English Setter Database, Pedigree Wonder (AKA Juno), pedigree.setter-anglais.fr.
2. High Dalziel, British Dogs: Describing The History Characteristics, Breeding, Management, And Exhibition Of The Various Breeds Of Dogs Established in Great Britain, 2nd edition, vol 1, (London: L. Upcott Gill, 1888), p.368.
   
3. The Kennel Club Stud Book(UK) vol. 1, 1873 Devon and Cornwall, 1874, Internet Archive.