Wheel from the funeral car for Wellington
Royal Dublin Society
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives
Articles for Immediate Personal or Domestic Use
Foley, John Henry, 1818-1874
Engraving by T. W. Knight
Art and Industry: The Role of the RDS in the Organisation of the Dublin Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853
2023
Cora McDonagh
Natasha Serne
Hackett, Felix (Edward), 1882-1970
Portrait painting, Irish--20th century
Brandt, Muriel (Kathleen), 1909-1981
1967
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
RDS_treasures_155_Brandt_Felix Hackett.jpg
The Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Volume 2: for the years 1878 to 1881
19th century
The digital reproduction of the Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Volume 2, for the years 1878 to 1881.
RDS Library & Archives
The Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Vol. 2 (1878-81)
Print
The Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Volume 1: for the years 1877 to 1882
The digital reproduction of the Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Volume 1, for the years 1877 to 1882.
The Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society Vol. 1 (1877-82)
The Charter of Victoria Creating an Executive Council. An original counterpart copy, 1866.
Unknown Artist
1866
RDS_treasures_96_Maker unknown_1866 Charter.jpg
The Charter of George II Giving the Society a Corporate Status Under Law. An original counterpart copy, 1750.
1750
RDS_treasures_95_Maker unknown_1750 Charter.jpg
Depicting the Society's present headquarters at Ballsbridge. One of a set of four, including Ballsbridge, Leinster House, Hawkins Street & Grafton Street.
Liddy, Pat, 1944-
Ca.2004
Depicting the Society's former headquarters at Leinster House. One of a set of four, including Ballsbridge, Leinster House, Hawkins Street & Grafton Street.
RDS_treasures_423_Liddy_Leinster House.jpg
Depicting the Society's former headquarters at Hawkins Street. One of a set of four, including Ballsbridge, Leinster House, Hawkins Street & Grafton Street.
RDS_treasures_423_Liddy_Hawkins Street.jpg
Depicting the Society's former headquarters at Grafton Street. One of a set of four, including Ballsbridge, Leinster House, Hawkins Street & Grafton Street.
RDS_treasures_423_Liddy_Grafton Street.jpg
Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691
Medals
The Robert Boyle medal awarded by the RDS for scientific excellence.
1899
RDS_treasures_459_unknown_Boyle medal obverse.jpg
RDS_treasures_459_unknown_Boyle medal reverse.jpg
An oval form gold medal with silver and gold suspension loop from which are a burgandy-coloured ribbon with three bars and a pin, the obverse with Minerva seated left with head turned towards right, with cornucopia with fruits in right hand, lower arm resting on shield with ornamental harp, with motto NOSTRI PLENA LABORIS, the reverse engraved To Mrs. Catherine Walker From The Dublin Society For Her Culture of Saffron 1766.
1766
RDS_treasures_458_Unknown_Saffron medal obverse.jpg
RDS_treasures_458_Unknown_Saffron medal reverse.jpg
The RDS Assistant Secretary’s Coffee Pot
Silver
A George III, baluster-shaped coffee pot, with scrolled spout and handle fretted with scrolling acanthus leaves, beading, the hinged domed top with plain knop finial, the spreading circular foot, gadrooned border engraved with an armorial, the base inscribed The gift of the Silk Mercers of the City of Dublin to the Revd Peter Chaigneau Assistant Secretary Dublin Society 1768 in an ebonised glazed tabletop display cabinet with silvered presentation inscription plaque.
Sheffield Silver Company
1768
RDS_treasures_448_Sheffield Silver Co_Cofffee Pot 1.jpg
Leinster House (Dublin, Ireland)
Sketch of the facade of Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin, with a partial view of the rotundas of the National Library and the National Museum. Inscribed verso: Presented to M.E. Dockrell T.D. by his constituency Feb. 1975.
Martin, Liam C., 1934-
1973
RDS_treasures_573_Martin_Leinster House.jpg
Musical instruments
Semi-abstract sculpture of two cellos standing back-to-back.
Pálfy, Miklós A.
20th century
Woodturning
A balloon-shaped vessel of ebonised oak, the neck with a double rim.
Flynn, Liam, 1969-2017
1997
Bust after Francis Bacon’s ‘Three Studies for a Self-portrait (1972)’
Bacon, Francis, 1909-1992
Portrait sculpture, Irish-21st century
The subject modelled after Bacon’s self-portrait triptych which he made in 1972.
Swan, Eleanor, b.1959
2010
Thomas Kane McClintock Bunbury, 2nd Baron Rathdonnell
McClintock-Bunbury, Thomas Kane, 1848-1929
Thomas Kane McClintock Bunbury, 2nd Baron Rathdonnell (1848-1929), Anglo-Irish peer, British Army officer and politician, President of the Society (1913-29), Vice President of the Society (1902-13). The subject depicted three-quarter length, in three-quarter right profile, seated in a brown leather armchair next to which are a red-bound book and papers on a low table; against a ochre coloured, non-descript background; holding a folded newspaper in his left hand, wearing a dark three-piece suit, a gold watch chain extending across his waistcoat; signed and dated l.r. Oswald Birley 1922.
Birley, Oswald, 1880-1952
1922
Donnelly, Dervilla
The subject depicted half length, directed slightly to the left, her face in frontal profile, seated in a chair, wearing a blue jacket, signed l.r. D Hone.
Hone, David, 1929-2023
1996
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791
Portrait Painting, Irish--20th century
The subject depicted seated at his harpsichord, wearing a red suit, signed and dated l.l. Micheal O Nuallain 99.
Ó Nualláin, Micháel
1999
Joly, John, 1857-1933
Sculpture, Irish--20th century
Portrait bust of John Joly, geologist. Signed OLIVER SHEPPARD RHA 1930 and entitled JOHN JOLY.
Sheppard, Oliver, 1865-1941
1930
Hutton, Mary A. (Mary Ann), 1862-1953
The subject modelled as a young woman, hair tied back in a bun, wearing a dress, the reverse inscribed and dated 1903.
Shaw, Kathleen Trousdell, 1865-1958
1903
Pangnirtung (Inuit community)
Sculpture, Canadian
A carved head of a walrus, the head of soapstone, the tusks of scrimshaw.
Pangnirtung Co-operative
1977
Sculpture, British--19th century
The subject modelled as a young girl, a blanket wrapped around her, standing beside a tree stump, signed and dated J H Foley Sculp London 1842.
1842
The subject modelled as a young man, wearing a floral crown, head cast down, both arms truncated at the shoulder, both legs truncated below the knee, inscribed R B O’Brien SC 1934
Ganly, Brigid
1934
Sculpture, European
After an Ancient Roman marble copy of a lost Greek statue in bronze thought to have been commissioned sometime between 230 and 220 BC by King Attalus I of Pergamon. It portrays a Gallic warrior in his last moments, as he struggles from a fatal wound, his face contorted in pain. Modelled as a naked man with a Celtic torc around his neck, on the ground atop his shield, wounded and supporting himself with one arm, the other resting weakly on his bent leg. The hand on the ground is next to a broken sword and his head is bent downwards. He is bleeding from a chest wound on the left side of the rib cage.
Goldsmith, Oliver, 1730?-1774
The subject modelled standing, wearing a coat, waistcoat & scarf, head cast down, holding an open book in his left hand. The base inscribed Goldsmith and with further inscription J H Foley RA SC London 1860.
Van Dyck, Anthony, 1599-1641
A tabletop statuette after John Michael Rysbrack's statue of Sir Anthony van Dyck. The subject modelled as the artist standing with an artist’s palette and brushes leaning against a draped pillar.
Rysbrack, John Michael, 1694-1770
1743
RDS_treasures_258_Rysbrack_Van Dyck 2.jpg
RDS_treasures_258_Rysbrack_Van Dyck 3.jpg
Scott, Walter (Writer)
A tabletop sculpture after John Greenshield's public monument to Sir Walter Scott in George Square, Edinburgh (1834-8, completed after Greenshield's death in 1835 by John Ritchie and William Mossman I). The subject modelled seated on a chair with crossed legs, holding a cane in his right hand.
Greenshields, John, 1795-1835
RDS_treasures_255_Greenshields_Scott 2.jpg
RDS_treasures_255_Greenshields_Scott 4.jpg
Moritz Geiss, after a model by August Karl Eduard Kiss. Modelled as a female warrior astride a horse being attacked by a panther, inscribed M. GEISS BERLIN, the base with inscription plaque AMAZON / AFTER KISS.
Geiss, Moritz, 1805-1875
Kiss, August, 1802-1865
After 1842
Giant's Causeway (Northern Ireland)
Topographical drawing
A view of the Giant’s Causeway from a westerly direction.
Vivarès, François, 1709-1780
Drury, Susannah, 1698-1770
RDS_treasures_197_Drury_Causeway west.jpg
RDS_treasures_197_Drury_Causeway west framed.jpg
Portrait of Mrs. Margaret ‘Peg’ Woffington
Portrait painting, Irish--18th century
Woffington, Margaret, -1760
The subject depicted in bust length, facing right with head inclined to front, wearing a lace-trimmed blue coat and hat, a landscape beyond, within a painted oval.
Lewis, John, fl.1750-1757
Ca.1750
RDS_treasures_27_Lewis_Woffington framed.jpg
Decorative painting
Painting en griseille, depicting Ceres and Triptolemus (Science and Agriculture).
De Gree, Peter, d.1789
1787
RDS_treasures_160_Gree_Science and agriculture.jpg
Portrait painting, Dutch
Depicts a gentleman bust leangth, wearing a black doublet and a white ruff.
Ravesteyn, Jan van, approximately 1572-1657
Ca.1650
RDS_treasures_187_Ravesteyn_Gentleman with ruff.jog
RDS_treasures_187_Ravesteyn_Gentleman with ruff framed.jpg
Still life painting
Vonck, Elías, 1605-1652
RDS_treasures_142_Vonck_Dead game framed 1.jpg
Portrait of Elizabeth Wriothesley, Countess of Northumberland
The subject depicted three-quarter length, standing, directed right, face in three-quarter profile, wearing an orange dress, white chemise and blue wrap, in a landscape.
Lely, Peter, 1618-1680
Ca.1660
RDS_treasures_140_Lely_Wriothesley framed.jpg
History painting
Depicts Jacob sleeping in a woodland in the lower right foregound, with angels in the background.
Jordaens, Jacob, 1593-1678
RDS_treasures_122_Jordaens_Jacob's Dream.jpg
RDS_treasures_122_Jordaens_Jacob's Dream framed.jpg
The Angel Releasing Saint Peter from Prison
Depicts a winged angel, wearing a white robe, to the right of the composition, his head cast downwards to St. Peter, who wears a blue robe and yellow mantle, and is crawling in the lower centre of the composition; two other figures look on, one in the lower left corner and another in the middle ground behind St. Peter.
Cuyp, Benjamin Gerritsz, 1612-1652
Ca.1640
RDS_treasures_9_Cuyp_Angel and St Peter.jpg
RDS_treasures_9_Cuyp_Angel and St Peter framed.jpg
St. Paul depicted to the right of the composition, wearing a green robe and red mantle, standing on a low plinth, right arm extended, preaching in a temple with a landscape beyond; behind him a group of six figures, one seated; to the right of the composition are another group of figures, one wearing a dark blue robe, his right arm outstretched towards St. Paul and being clutched by a child; another child crawls on the ground in front of St. Paul; in the background is another group of seated figures.
De la Hyre, Laurent, 1606-1656
RDS_treasures_6_De La Hyre_St Paul Preaching.jpg
RDS_treasures_6_De La Hyre_St Paul Preaching framed.jpg
Landscape painting
An extensive mountainous and wooded landscape, with soldiers leaving a burning town.
Huchtenburg, Jan van, 1647-1733
Ca.1730
RDS_treasures_4_Huchtenberg_Burning hamlet.jpg
RDS_treasures_4_Huchtenberg_Burning hamlet framed.jpg
An extensive mountainous and wooded landscape, with soldiers bearing away the spoils.
RDS_treasures_2_Huchtenberg_Victorious soldiers.jpg
RDS_treasures_2_Huchtenberg_Victorious soldiers framed.jpg
Horse Show Heroes: A History of Show Jumping at the Dublin Horse Show
Conor Swail on Count Me In with Aga Khan trophy
Conor Swail on Count Me In, winners of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland, holding the Aga Khan trophy at Dublin in 2022.
2022
Comdt. John Ledingham on Kilbaha, winner of The Nations Cup at Dublin in 1997.
Diana Conolly-Carew on Barrymore, The International Grand Prix of Ireland winners for Ireland, Dublin, 1966.
1966
Royal Dublin Society. Horse Show
Dublin Horse Show
Comdt. Ged O’Dwyer on Limerick Lace, for Ireland, winners of the International Jumping Competition in Dublin, 1934.
Still image
The Galway Blazers at the Inter-Hunt Competition at Dublin in 1927.
1927
The first winners of the Dublin Horse Show 'lepping' competition in 1868.
1868
Dublin Horse Show 2023 Exhibition Thumbnail
Horse Show Heroes: A History of Show Jumping at The Dublin Horse Show From the introduction of some the world’s earliest jumping courses to its continuing support of riders and breeders the Dublin Horse Show has been instrumental in the development of show jumping on a national and international level. This exhibition, drawn from material in the RDS Library & Archives, explores the history of show jumping at Dublin, along with some of the notable competitors who have taken part in the Show over its long and illustrious history.
Exhibition
Truth Be Told: According to the Archives
RDS Art Collection
National Heritage Week 2023 Exhibition Video
15th century
History
Theology
Humanism
Renaissance
Manuscripts
The RDS digital reproduction of Divinarum institutionum libri septem by L. Caelius Firmianus Lactantius, in a Renaissance manuscript written in Florence, Italy, circa. 1430. The seven books of the Diuinae institutiones, are the most important work by Lactantius, Christian author and advisor to Roman emperor, Constantine the Great. They are an apologetic treatise that includes a defense of Christianity and a criticism of pagan religion, philosophy and morals. In this Renaissance manuscript, each of the seven books has a sectional title in red script followed by an illuminated initial. The seven illuminated initials feature hues of gold, blue, yellow, green and brown, interwoven with illustrations of white vine. The text is in Latin, with some interlinear Greek translation. It is speculated that the book was inscribed by Niccolò Niccoli and another unknown scribe.
Lucius Caelius Firmianus Lactantius
Approx. 1430
Divinarum institutionum libri septem / L. Caelius Firmianus Lactantius.
The petitions book of the Dublin Society: for the years 1761 to 1762
18th century
Industries
The digital reproduction of the manuscript petitions book of the Dublin Society, for the years 1761 to 1762.
RDS Library & Archive
Proceedings of the Dublin Society on the several petitions of sundry manufacturers and others and the dispostion of the sum of ten thousand pounds, committed to their determination, by order of the Right Honble & Honble the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in parliament assembled, session 1761 & 1762.
Manuscript
The treasurer's book of the Dublin Society (1731 to 1739)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript treasurer's book of the Dublin Society, for the years 1731 to 1739.
Register and letter book of the Dublin Society (1731-1736)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript register and book of letters of the Dublin Society, for the years 1731 to 1736.
Dublin Society Council minute book (1758-1761)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1758 to 1761.
Dublin Society's rough minute book, 1758, 1759, 1760, 1761.
Dublin Society Council minute book (1752-1755)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1752 to 1755.
Minute book of the Dublin Society: from 1752-1755
Dublin Society Council minute book (1750-1757)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1750 to 1757.
Minute book of the Dublin Society: from May 3rd 1750 to 24th November 1757
Dublin Society Council minute book (1741-1746)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1741 to 1746.
Fair minute book and proceedings of the Dublin Society from 19th November 1741 - 10th July 1746
Register and minute book of the Dublin Society (1733-1741)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript register and book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1733 to 1741.
Fair minute book and register of the Dublin Society: for the years, 1733-1741
Register and minute book of the Dublin Society (1731-1733)
The digital reproduction of the manuscript register and book of minutes of the Dublin Society, for the years 1731 to 1733.
Register and minute book of the Dublin Society: for the years, 1731 to 1733
Stuart, Francis, 1902-2000
Portrait bust of Henry Francis Montgomery Stuart, Irish novelist.
FitzGibbon, Marjorie Steele, 1930-2018
1970
RDS_treasures_283_FitzGibbon_Francis Stuart.jpg
Ceramics
Mythology
A semi-abstract representation of Donn Cúailgne (The Brown Bull of Cooley) from the mythological Irish epic An Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). The tale was written in the 12th century and set in the pre-Christian 1st century,
Keeney, Christy
2008
The subject modelled partially seated, head cast downwards, reading a book.
MacDowell, Patrick, 1799–1870
1840
RDS_treasures_326_MacDowell_Girl reading.jpg
Sculpture, Neoclassical
The subject modelled head cast down to proper right, her proper right arm reaching for an arrow from a quiver carried on proper left shoulder, her proper left arm by her side.
1860
Minerva
The subject modelled wearing a chiton, holding the excess folds of the fabric in her left hand, a staff in her proper right hand, her hair tied with a band in a chignon.
1855
The subject modelled standing, wearing classical robes, hair in a chignon, holding wheatsheaves and fruit in her proper left hand, on an oval marble base.
1850
Sculpture, Italian
Eve (Biblical figure)
A figure of Eve, The subject modelled as a nude female holding an uneaten apple in her proper right hand, long hair draped over her back, seated on a rocky floral-encrusted plinth carved with a serpent, signed G M Benzoni Roma 1859.
Benzoni, Giovanni Marie, 1809-1873
1859
Manockjee Nesserwanjee, a Parsee Merchant
Royal Dublin Society. Drawing Schools
The subject modelled as a gentleman standing, wearing a turban and robes, his arms loosely crossed across his body holding a scroll in his proper right hand.
1863
The subjects modelled partially draped, reclining on rocks, surmounted by bunches of grapes and vine leaves, the figure of Ino with outstretched proper left arm dangling a bunch of grapes (lost) above the head of Bacchus, the infant reaching upwards with both arms, signed J H Foley Sculptor London 1840, and the base inscribed Ino and Bacchus, with two applied labels numbered 189.
RDS_treasures_289_Foley_Ino & Bacchus.jpg
Modelled as a seated discus thrower, resting on a cloak, with a title plaque inscribed DISCOBOLUS M. KESSELS ROME 1826 THE BEQUEST OF MRS ANNE D RUTLAND 1856.
Kessels, Mathieu, 1784-1836
1826
World maps--Early works to 1800
Ireland
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon, 1571-1638
1634
RDS_treasures_98_Blaeu_Map of Ireland R.jpg
Vignettes of people and events at the Dublin Horse Show.
Whitmore, Olive
1933
RDS_treasures_68_Whitmore_DHS vignettes.jpg
Landscape painting, Italian--18th century
An Italianate landscape depicting a man sleeping on rocks beside a river, observed at his proper left side by a figure holding a staff; to his proper right, a horse grazes; set in a landscape with a Roman Temple.
Bloeman (Orizzonte), Jan Franz van, 1662-1749
1735
RDS_treasures_93_Orizzonte_Italianate landscape.jpg
Landscape painting, Irish--18th century
An Italianate landscape, with two figures by a weir in the foreground, one seated, the other, a Roman solider, standing and holding a spear and gesticulating to a third figure seated on an outcrop above; a natural rock arch spans the canvas from the top left corner to the middle right edge; in the middle ground is a castle, behind which are rugged mountains extending into the background; indistinctly signed lower right.
Hagen, Willem van der, 1675-1745
1730
RDS_treasures_31_van der Hagen_Landscape with natural rock arch.jpg
RDS_treasures_31_van der Hagen_Landscape with natural rock arch framed.jpg
De Trafford, Humphrey F. (Humphrey Francis), Sir, 1862-1929
Depicts Sir Humphrey and his trainers in a paddock with ten of his hunters, all prize winners at the Horse Shows of 1902 and 1903. Signed and dated lower right.: H.F. Lucas 1904
Lucas, Henry Frederick Lucas, 1848-1943
1904
RDS_treasures_186_Lucas_de Trafford's horses.jpg
History painting, French
The subject depicted full length, directed to proper right, seated by a river and looking at his reflection, with a cherub to his proper right and two more in the sky above, set in a landscape.
Boucher, François, Follower of, 1703-1770
RDS_treasures_144_Boucher follower_Narcissus.jpg
Ashford, William, approximately 1746-1824
1780
RDS_treasures_121_Ashford_Landscape with castle.jpg
Painting, Dutch--17th century
Still life with four dead gamebirds. A grey partridge hangs by its proper right leg above a falconry perch, from which a rufter hood hangs, and a fringed cloth is draped over the edge; above the partridge a small, short-beaked gamebird hangs by its neck; to the left of the composition, a small, long-beaked bird lies on the bell of a hunting horn and a small, short-beaked bird lies on a game bag; behind the falconry perch are (what appear to be) a hawking cage and a spring box cage propped against a wall; the entire arrangement set against a dark, non-descript interior.
1640
RDS_treasures_143_Vonck_Still life with gamebirds.jpg
Seascape, with two two-mast sailboats in a stormy sea; positioned centre, the near boat, with mainsail lowered and headsail raised, tows a lifeboat and holds seven crew, one at the tiller and six attending to the rigging; positioned behind to right, the second boat, with both sails raised, holds at least three crew, one at the bow waving towards the harbour wall in the right background; debris floats on the rough sea and birds skim the waves and circle the aft mast of the near boat.
Hildebrandt, Eduard, 1818-1869
1845
RDS_treasures_141_Hildebrandt_Pecheurs d'Hastings.jpg
Still life with a dead hare suspended by its right hind leg, its head resting on a stone ledge; to left of the composition, an (unidentified) object on the ledge; set against a non-descript, dark background; unsigned.
Collins, Charles, c.1640-1744
c.1735
RDS_treasures_139_Collins_Hare framed.jpg
Genre painting--19th century
Genre painting of a blind beggarwoman and a child. To centre right, a beggarwoman seated on a low, stone wall, directed front, head slightly inclined to proper left, hands in her lap, wearing a brown skirt with red underskirt and a worn linen apron, buff-coloured linen chemise, green-black coloured hooded cloak tied at the neck, plain cloth headcap, worn loafer-style shoes; to centre left, a child stands barefoot, directed and gazing front, lightly holding the proper right forearm of the beggarwoman with her proper left hand, in her proper right hand, a partially-glazed, brown earthenware pitcher, wearing a brown skirt with dark green underskirt, drab apron and shawl. In left background, a stone wall surmounted by a wood fence; in centre background, a large, leafy tree; in right background, several abandoned cottages; in the distance, a hill beneath a grey-clouded sky. Unsigned. George Grattan was a pupil of the Royal Dublin Society Drawing School.
Grattan, George, 1787-1819
1807
RDS_treasures_118_Grattan_Blind Beggar.jpg
Landscape painting, Belgian
Pastoral landscape at sunset. Positioned centre, a shepherd girl carrying a faggot in her proper left hand converses with a herdsman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and carrying a staff in his proper left hand while driving cattle and sheep on a hillock surmounted by two trees; to right at middle distance, a landscape with more trees and sheep; to left at far distance, a low-lying, bucolic landscape; the entire scene set against a vast, clear-blue sky tinged with pink-orange tones on the horizon; signed and dated lower right Edmond Tschaggeny p. 1854.
Tschaggeny, Edmond Jean Baptiste, 1818-1873
1854
RDS_treasures_115_Tschaggeny_Herding Stock.jpg
In the form of crouching fox on a rockwork base, set with red glass eyes, the turned wooden base applied with a silver shield engraved ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY FOR JOSEPH WIDGER PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY FOR BEST MEDIUM WEIGHT HUNTER BRED IN IRELAND PRESENTED BY MRS. JOSEPH WIDGER, AUGUST 1924.
William Comyns & Sons (London, UK)
1924
RDS_treasures_C62_Comyns & Sons_Joseph Widger trophy.jpg
The RDS Horse Show Champion Hack Challenge Cup
With domed foot and tapering stem engraved with two wheatear bands, the bowl with twin scroll handles, also with chased wheatear bands at the base and rim, with an inscription reading ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY HORSE SHOW PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPION HACK, the finial in the form of a horse, on an ebonised plinth. With mark of Dublin; maker and date marks worn.
RDS_treasures_C19_Unknown_Champion Hack cup.jpg
The Aberdeen-Angus Association Challenge Cup
Inscribed 1895 IRISH POLLED ABERDEEN-ANGUS ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP BEST BULL, with a further inscription WON OUT IN 1897 BY A.J. OWEN ESQ. WITH HIS BULL MICK 3RD [10254] PRESENTED BY MR OWEN TO THE IRISH ABERDEEN-ANGUS ASSOCIATION, AND HAS AGAIN BEEN OFFERED BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR COMPETITION AT THE SOCIETY’S SPRING SHOWS. Made by Charles Lambe, Dublin Retailed by Waterhouse, Dublin
Charles Lambe (Dublin, Ireland)
1894
RDS_treasures_C8_Lambe_Aberdeen Angus cup.jpg
The campana-shaped body with two scrolling handles on a spreading foot, chased overall with foliage and flowers, further chased on one side with a woman at a spinning wheel and engraved on the other side with an inscription FLAX LIMERICK CHALLENGE CUP THIS CUP IS TO BE HELD SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE BY THE PERSON TO WHOM IT MAY BE DULY AWARDED FOR HAVING CULTIVATED IN THE SEASON PRECEDING SUCH AWARD AS OWNER OR TENANT THE GREATEST NUMBER OF ACRES UNDER A CROP OF FLAX WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK OR AT THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF LIMERICK IT IS CHALLENGEABLE YEARLY AND WILL BE AWARDED ON THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS AFTER THE FLAX CROP SHALL HAVE BEEN HARVESTED IN EACH YEAR THIS CUP IS TO BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE PERSON TO WHOM IT MAY BE DULY AWARDED ON SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE FOR CULTIVATION OF FLAX DURING THREE SUCCESSIVE SEASONS PRESENTED BY WILLIAM SMITH O’BRIEN JANUARY 1864. William Smith O’Brien (1803–64) was a Member of the Irish Parliament and a leader of the Young Ireland movement. He was an advocate of the Irish nationalist agenda and was committed to eliminating famine in Limerick.
Samuel le Bas, (Dublin, Ireland)
RDS_treasures_C67_Le Bas_Smith O'Brien cup.jpg
An Irish parcel-gilt silver model of a hunting horn, the curved cylindrical body engraved with flutes, with silver gilt bands, the rim engraved with an early Celtic inscription COMÔRTAS NA MARCRAIḊE CURAḊ-ṀÍR, with a separate, ebonised wood and brass plinth, the base applied with silver plaques and engraved with the inscription ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY’S HORSE SHOW INTERNATIONAL MILITARY JUMPING COMPETITION PRESENTED BY THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, and further applied with shields with engraved names and dates. Hallmarked ‘O.R.’ with the office mark of Dublin and the date mark of 1984. Now presented for the Champion Loose Performance Colt / Gelding.
1984
RDS_treasures_C59_Unknown_Michael Osborne cup.jpg
The ovoid body on a stepped, domed base, the lower body chased with foliage, the shoulder chased with a band of trailing foliage and palmettes on a textured ground, with two handles of two entwined snakes and applied grotesque mask shields, engraved on one side with the inscription ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY HORSE SHOW PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP FOR THE BEST THOROUGHBRED BROOD MARE WITH FOAL AT FOOT OWNED BY AN EXHIBITOR RESIDENT IN IRELAND, and further engraved with names and dates. This cup is presented by the Royal Dublin Society in memory of Mr. Michael Moran to the winner of the Six-Year-Old ‘Cruising’ National Show Jumping Championship.
Hutton & Sons (London, UK)
RDS_treasures_C41_Hutton & Sons_Michael Moran trophy.jpg
In the form of a cow, on a wood plinth with applied silver plaque inscribed ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY SPRING SHOW PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY PRESENTED BY THE JERSEY CATTLE SOCIETY OF IRELAND FOR THE BEST JERSEY COW WHICH HAS A REGISTERED LIFETIME YIELD OF NOT LESS THAN 50,000 L.B.S. OF MILK.; unmarked.
RDS_treasures_C49_Unknown_Jersey Cattle trophy.jpg
The Department of Agriculture Short Horn Cattle Class Cup
Realistically modelled as The Warwick Vase, with beaded shell and dart rim, the campana-form body chased with lion’s pelts and applied in high relief with Bacchic masks and thyrsi, with a roundel of chased stiff leaves below, the twin reeded bifurcated and entwined scroll handles with vine tendrils, on a gadrooned socle and square base with a further silver mounted stone base, the sides of the stone base each applied with a silver plaque, one engraved with an inscription SPRING SHOW 1978 FOR THE BEST ANIMAL SELECTED UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S SHORT HORN CATTLE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, the other side engraved with names and dates, all contained in a fitted oak case. The original Warwick Vase dates from the 2nd century B.C. and was excavated in fragments by Gavin Hamilton, a Scottish painter, antiquarian and art dealer, in 1769–70 from the grounds of the Villa Tiburtina near Tivoli, Rome, which belonged to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The vase was purchased in 1778 by George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick, from Sir William Hamilton, a British diplomat in Rome and a collector of antiquaries.
Walker & Hall (Sheffield, UK)
1914
RDS_treasures_C18_Walker & Hall_Irish Government cup.jpg
The irregular-form body supported on a trumpet-shaped stem with two Celtic scroll handles, the detachable cover with a spire and Celtic scroll finial, the cover inscribed COMHRAMH NA HEIREANN ARNA BHRONNADH AG REALTAS NA HEIREANN DO CHOMÓRTAS LÉIMNI IDIRNAISÚNTA A TASIPEANTAS NA GCAPALL BAILE ATHA CLIATH (IRISH COMMENDATION AWARDED BY THE IRISH GOVERNMENT AT THE DUBLIN HORSE SHOW INTERNATIONAL JUMPING COMPETITION), the conforming foot engraved with names and dates, on a silver-mounted ebonised stand. Hallmarked ‘P.D.’ and date of 1992.
1992
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Vallancey, Charles, 1721-1812
Portrait painting, Irish--19th century
Portrait of General Charles Vallancey (Ca.1725-1812), British military surveyor, cartographer and Chief Engineer of Ireland, Vice-President of the (Royal) Dublin Society (1799-1812). The subject depicted full length, in three-quarter left profile, gazing front; seated in a carved giltwood armorial armchair with shaped oval upholstered back in a moulded frame and cabriole supports carved as dolphins on moulded supports and scrolled toes (the supports identical to those of RDS.534 The RDS President's Chair), against the left side of which two cartography portfolios are propped; his proper left arm on the armrest of the chair, his proper right arm resting on a cartograph which is spread between his lap and a table, upon which also is an inkwell and two quills; wearing a single-curl periwig, dark blue coat with high turndown collar, wide lapel and brass buttons, yellow stand-collar waistcoat, white cravat, dark breeches and highly polished black boots; set against a red curtain, pulled back to reveal the base of a classical column in the upper left of the composition. Andrew Richard Twigg was a pupil at the Royal Dublin Society Drawing Schools.
Twigg, Andrew Richard, d.1810
1810
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