Washington Winter Show 2015

47 Figure 6: Seawanhaka Trophy , Tiffany & Co., New York. c. 1890 (Courtesy Mr. Oliver C. Iselin, Middleburg, Virginia). a removable fitted liner, allowing for cold water to surround and chill a bottle of wine without getting it wet. Following the War of 1812, major shifts occurred in American military focus, economy and culture. Expansion west and the acquisition of territories, such as after the Mexican-American War (1846–48), resulted in an increase of conflicts occurring on land and less at sea. Additionally, the domestic struggle to unite our divided nation during the Civil War (1861–65) saw more ground action. The American Navy certainly was a major force during this period, and significant blockades, battles and engagements were a factor in defense of the Union. Awards, however, created for the heroes of these military conflicts had changed, trending more towards the presentation of money and military objects such as swords and guns. There are, however, many silver presentation or ceremonial swords. In times of peace, Americans continued to partake in international competitions on the high seas. The precedent for competition was more cordial, and victory was a race rather than a battle. Although competing countries sought national pride and bragging rights with a win, the awarding of ornate trophies was just as coveted. Trophies made of silver were no longer classical in design, and the new fashion of “revivals” dominated. The interpretation of designs from the Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo (Figure 5), and later Colonial Revivals (Figure 6) were among the most popular found on silver in the United States. The oldest international sailing race and trophy, an example of Renaissance Revival design, is the America’s Cup. In 1851, a crew of American men, all former or current members of the United States Navy sailed for England in their schooner America to compete in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s annual fifty-three nautical mile race around the Isle of Wight. The winner would receive both acclaim and a trophy, measuring two-feet three inches tall, called the 100 Guinea Cup (Figure 7). 13 On August 22, 1851, America successfully finished the race in first place, taking home both the 100 Guinea Cup and the begrudging respect of their