Trophy
Portal trophy
Name/Title
TrophyEntry/Object ID
96.1.1Tags
Needs reviewDescription
Silver engraved bowl with base, possibly by Abraham Portal (English). Dated 1768. Engraved: "Won by Trail, the propery of Willm Allston Esqr. at NEWMARKET, 1768:" Drawing of a horse with rider (with crop outstretched) is below dedication of bowl. Marked with a lion rampant, crowned leopard, V, obscured "AP" mark. Abraham Portal (English, bap. 1726-d. 1809) Punch bowl London, England, 1768/1769 Silver H. 4 x Diam. 9 inches Engraved: Won by Trial, the property of Willm Allston Esqr. at Newmarket, 1768; stamped on bottom: lion passant, crowned leopard's head, date letter and AP Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston, SC, 96.1.1 In 1754, the South Carolina Jockey Club, founded in Charleston in 1734, established the New Market Race Track, named for the famous English track. William Alston was one of the most notable members of the Jockey Club, and his stud book traces the pedigrees of some of his horses back several generations to famous English Arabians. Held in February, Race Week was the center of Charleston's social season, and although only the most prominent attended the exclusive balls held in honor of the event, all of the city's citizens were encouraged to attend the races. In Charleston, it was the custom until the 1780s to present silver plate rather than cash prizes to the owners of winning horses. Tankards, cans and punchbowls-commemorative yet functional forms-were common prizes and used during celebrations after the race. Charleston silversmiths not only fashioned silver to be presented for the winners, but they also collected bets, as evidenced by Alexander Petrie and John Paul Grimke, and even sponsored races. Isaac Peronneau offered "a three pint silver TANKARD, and a silver PUNCH BOWL, value Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds, by any nine mares, horses, or geldings, to run a quarter of a mile and catch riders." This bowl was among the silver plate imported to Charleston, but it is quite possible that a local silversmith rendered the engraving. At the time of the bowl's manufacture, Abraham Portal, silversmith and aspiring playwright, was in partnership with Harry Gearing and operated a shop "at the Crown and Anchor" in Ludgate Hill" Portal was apprenticed to the famed London Huguenot silversmith Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751). Mainly involved in the retail trade, Portal outsourced much of his work to other London silversmiths for production. BSC South Carolina Gazette, Charleston SC, September 24, 1750. Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser, London, England, May 4, 1768.Collection
Historic Charleston Foundation CollectionAcquisition
Accession
96.1.Source or Donor
Mr. Fred HaarbyeAcquisition Method
PurchasedMade/Created
Artist
Abraham Portal (English, bap. 1726-1809)Date made
1768 - 1769Place
Location
EnglandInscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Maker's Mark: Lion passant, crowned leopard's head, date letter and APLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
TrophyNomenclature Primary Object Term
PrizeNomenclature Sub-Class
Achievement SymbolsNomenclature Class
Personal SymbolsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsOther Name
BowlDimensions
Height
4 inDiameter
9 inDimension Notes
Diameter of base: 4.25Material
SilverLocation
Location
Room
303Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentDate
February 7, 2023Location
Room
103Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseCategory
PermanentMoved By
SJDate
July 22, 2004Location
Room
103Building
Nathaniel Russell HouseMoved By
Jill Beute KovermanDate
June 28, 2004Location
Building
Edmonston-Alston HouseMoved By
Jill Beute KovermanDate
December 12, 2003Notes
Until: 6/28/2004Condition
Overall Condition
ExcellentRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Allston, Robert Francis WithersExhibitions
10
16