Ascot Cup 1825 - 1826

Paul Storr crafted this gilded silver Ascot Cup in the early 19th century, a period defined by Britain's colonial power and sharp class divisions. This was an era of grand displays of wealth and status among the elite. Cups such as this were designed for one purpose: to be awarded at horse races. The races were spectacles which embodied the intertwined nature of commerce, land, and privilege. The cup itself, with its elaborate detailing of grapevines and horse heads, celebrates both agricultural wealth and equine prowess. Gold and silver were extracted through colonial exploitation. The cup thus materializes how empire was built on the backs of laborers and enslaved people. The Ascot Cup is more than a trophy; it’s a reminder of how aesthetics can be deeply embedded in systems of power and inequality. It invites reflection on how these historical dynamics continue to resonate today.