Messrs. Ellis Brothers, silversmiths, of High-street, Exeter—the firm whose head is Mr. H. S. Ellis, now Mayor of that city-have manufactured an elegant challenge cup for the races at Colombo, in Ceylon. It is called "The Crusaders' Challenge Cup." The commission was executed for Mr. Beauchamp Downhall, of Colombo. The cup rests on a square pedestal of Devonshire marble; on each side of the pedestal is a large Maltese silver cross. Neatly engraved on one of these crosses is the following:—"The Crusaders' Challenge Cup, presented by the Crusaders, Colombo, 1868." The cup and base stand about 34 in. high. On one side of the cup, in bas-relief, artistically wrought, is represented the encounter of Saladin and Richard Coeur de Lion, taken from Sir Walter Scott's "Crusaders." On the reverse is a battle scene, also in bas-relief—an illustration from Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered." Two winged horses, in frosted silver, serve as handles. On the cover, surmounting the whole, is the figure of a crusader in full armour, with visor up, on horseback, exquisitely modelled, and also in frosted silver. As a whole, it is a work of art of great merit.
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, March 6, 1869, p.233
The Crusaders' Challenge Cup
for the Colombo Races
