A late 19^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver twin handled cup, Kashmir dated 1887

Raj period. Of bulbous form upon a tapering circular foot, the twin handles formed as coiled serpents. The body with chased decoration in rosette pattern, bulbous lower section lobed. The front with a shield shape cartouche engraved with a presentation inscription reading “Baluchistan Polo Tournament Quetta 1887 won by Doctors team R.W.S Lyons, R. Power, B.M. Blennerhassett, J.C. Fullerton Capt”. Gilt interior.

Height – 18 cm / 7 inches

Length – 19.5 cm / 7.75 inches

Weight – 736 grams / 23.66 ozt

Quetta is situated in south-west of the modern-day Pakistan, to the international border with Afghanistan. It is the capital of the province of Balochistan.

The first European visited Quetta in 1828, describing it as mud-walled fort surrounded by three hundred mud houses. In 1876 Quetta was occupied by the British and subsequently incorporated into British India. In 1856, British General John Jacob had urged his government to occupy Quetta given its strategic position on the western frontier.

For another very similar cup dated 1886 see the preceding lot, both cups sold these rooms, 2^nd Feb 2016, lot 276 (£740 hammer).