Trophies


Mike (left) and Chay Blyth with the BT Global Challenge Trophy


Click on the photographs for a larger image

A trophy, as well as being an impressive item in itself, should symbolise the ethos and endeavour of the activity. Our work on trophies is best illustrated by the development and production of the perennial trophy for the BT Global Challenge Races in 1996/7.

In late ’95 Chay Blyth, under the auspices of an eminent panel organised by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, issued an invitation to design a perennial trophy for the Global Challenge Races - round the world races for amateur crews under professional guidance. Patron of the races is The Princess Royal and the trophy would be know as the Princess Royal Trophy.

The specification required that… ‘It should be an example of the best in design and craftsmanship, exploiting the full potential of the materials, the main component of which should be silver'. From forty two entries Mike won both the design prize - unanimously within the panel - and the commission to produce it. The design is highly symbolic of the factors of the race as will be evident from the following.

The Princess Royal Trophy

Above all the Challenge is about human endeavour and the trophy has two figures on each of the three lobes of the ebony and silver base representing specific aspects. One lobe has a figure at the helm with another at his/her shoulder pointing forwards, emphasising leadership. Another has two crew together working one winch, depicting the sheer physical effort involved and the need for teamwork. The third shows the navigation activity one figure with traditional instruments the other with electronic gear, emphasising the science and safety of modern races with global communications. Above the figures tower six sails - six legs of the race - set twisted clockwise - east west about - with their heads intricately arranged to form a ‘coronet’. Atop the ‘coronet’ sits a silver globe with the continents in polished silver and the oceans enamelled such that one can see the ocean currents engraved in the silver beneath.

Data

Sterling silver,
Cusp and figures gold plated, base ebony, globe in part enamelled
Height	20 inch (51cm)


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