Trophies

Bledisloe Cup on displat 2014 in Australia

What is a Trophy?

A trophy is synonymous with being an actual gift from an organisation, recognising peak performance in sporting, academic and business fields.

In antiquity BCE, ancient Greeks left battlefields in foreign and outlying regions decorated with effigy-like figures bearing shields, weapons and battle regalia. It is believed that this is the origin of the contemporary English term – “trophy” – began. The ancient Greeks and Romans set the scene for commemorating these victorious war events with trophies. So it evolved that war artifacts were assembled to celebrate achievement on the battlefield. In some cases, trees were adorned with the standards and weaponry of the defeated army.  In primitive societies, body parts were often used as trophies. Practices such as headhunting, scalping and mass mausoleums were part of the culture of some tribes and the collections were viewed as trophies.

Awards were provided for Science and the Arts

Ovid displays a Laurel Wreath
Ovid 43BC – 17AD. Epic Roman Verse

The laurel wreath, pictured above on Ovid’s head, was given for more peaceful activities such as art, poetry and games. The trophy for the ancient Greek and Roman games was the laurel wreath.
Big game hunters also kept “Trophies” of animals that they had killed. Heads of animals hung on the walls.

Einstein Award Medal

The Booker and Archibald Awards are well-known accolades in the Arts sector. However, the Albert Einstein Award is a prominent medallion in world scientific achievement.

Amphora of the goddess Athena

The laurel was the most common presentation as time progressed into the Bronze Age. Many athletes in Greece received amphoras, usually filled with oil. Oil or wine was specially added to an amphora. Creating trophies from metal often resulted in a high-cost award.

The community’s wealth determined the presentation’s value for the winner.  The chariot races of the ancient world would probably go back to the invention of the chariot wheel. These were significant events that required mighty venues known as hippodromes. Chariot races were added to the Olympic Games about 680 BCE but were not the main event. The 195 meters male footraces were the epitome of the sporting festival.

In time, many events in 5th century CE Rome became professional, and the winners were given money instead of a laurel, amphora or cup.

The Silver Cup

In the 17th century CE, the silver cup emerged as the trophy of choice for many events, including horse races. In the late 17th century, the Kyp Cup became a popular trophy style for all sports, including horse racing. This trophy cup was smaller with two handles and may have had a lid. They were very often sterling silver and precious.
Chalices and cups were awarded to winners of sporting endeavours in the 17th-century New World events. The famous Kyp Cup was awarded in America in 1699. It is fair to say that even today, the silver cup, now usually silver or nickel-plated, is a prestigious trophy.

The trophy becomes a symbol of the game. In Australia, we have numerous famous trophy cups and sporting awards as part of this nation’s love of sport – The Davis Cup, Melbourne Cup, Cricket, AFL, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Netball, etc.

Sydney Awards & Trophies

Sydney Awards & Trophies have an enormous number of awards covering an extensive selection of Sporting Categories. We price our awards cheaply for you without sacrificing quality. Please click through to our Sports Categories and Cup styles to compare our prices. We supply engraving, printing and etching free of charge.

Australian sports trophies and awards

Australia has a rich heritage in sports history, with many accomplished athletes and teams. Wikipedia has collected a comprehensive list of our most prominent sports personalities. The compilation includes numerous photos from our nation’s Sporting Halls of Fame to recent times. Click Here.

 

 

Melbourne Cup is a good example of a trophy cup.
Melbourne Cup
AFL Replica Cup 2012 Premiership Trophy Cup
AFL Replica Cup
ICC Cricket World Cup
ICC Cricket World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
World Netball Trophy
World Netball Trophy