Sheffield Silversmith Designs St Leger Stakes Trophy
Published: 27th September 2021
The Cazoo St Leger Stakes Winners Centre 2021 has been designed and made by contemporary silversmith, Christopher Perry, former graduate of the Metalwork and Jewellery course at Sheffield Hallam University and registered customer of Sheffield Assay Office. He is the first silversmith to be asked to make this prestigious trophy twice.
Christopher has a strong heritage in silversmithing. His workshop is the last remaining in the heritage conservation area of Kelham in Sheffield. He is an assistant lecturer at Sheffield Hallam, delivering practical guidance and using his years of experience designing and making to help guide students through their degree course. He has given several Hallam students work experience and apprenticeships through his own business. Christopher has his work in the permanent collections of the Goldsmiths Company, the Rabinovitch Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Sheffield Museums, Millennium Gallery.
This year’s sponsor of the St Leger, Cazoo, approached Christopher with the suggestion of a car inspired trophy. Christopher researched different vintage and classic car wheels to find the perfect wheel lace pattern to work with the Yorkshire Rose. The trophy that has been made for 2021 is technically very challenging: made up of two sets of spokes, with 40 beautifully created tiny Yorkshire rose screws, which hold in a two layered Yorkshire rose – all perfectly positioned. The rose centre is made up of a series of gilded, dancing horseshoes.
Chris Knight, fellow silversmith and design consultant for this annual commission, selected Christopher Perry on behalf of Sheffield Hallam University and Doncaster Racecourse. Chris says “I have always been an admirer of Christopher’s silver work. He holds a revered position within the Sheffield Silversmithing community. I was really pleased to hear that Christopher Perry gave work experience to two recent Sheffield Hallam Graduates in the production of this year’s trophy: Daniel Brocklehurst using his CAD skills and Georgia Rose helping with the assembly. These two students will have had an invaluable insight into their future careers.” Christopher works in partnership with Chris Knight to produce the supporting St Leger festival trophies. All the trophies are made in the traditional way, continuing the high-level craft skills and quality that Sheffield silversmiths are known for across the world.
Sheffield Assay Office were delighted to laser hallmark the trophy, although this may not be seen by many at its presentation it informs future generations of its manufacturer Christopher Perry, that the piece is made of Sterling silver, assayed and hallmarked at Sheffield Assay Office, denoted by the Tudor Rose in the year 2021.
Photo Credit: MC Photography, Sheffield
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
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