| Awards and trophies have been used to mark | | | | sterling cup in the Henry Ford Museum, was given to |
| outstanding victories since the ancient times. The | | | | the winner of a horse race between two towns in |
| English word trophy itself was derived from the | | | | New England in about 1699. Chalices, particularly, are |
| French trophée in 1513, "a spoil or prize of | | | | associated with sporting events, and were |
| war", from Latin trophaeum meaning 'monument to | | | | traditionally made in silver. Winners of horse races, |
| victory'. | | | | and later boating and early automobile races, were |
| In ancient Greece, trophies themselves were made | | | | the typical recipients of these trophies. The Davis |
| on the battlefields of victorious battles from captured | | | | Cup, Stanley Cup, and numerous World Cups are all |
| arms and standards, and were hung upon a tree or a | | | | now famous cup-shaped trophies given to sports |
| large stake made to resemble a warrior. These were | | | | winners. |
| often inscribed with a story of the battle and | | | | Today, trophies are much less expensive, and thus |
| dedicated to various gods. Trophies made for naval | | | | much more pervasive, thanks to mass-produced |
| victories sometimes consisted of entire ships (or | | | | plastic trophies. If you're looking for quality however, |
| what remained of them) laid out on the beach. To | | | | there are many specialist companies that deal with |
| destroy a trophy was considered a sacrilege and an | | | | creating an extensive range of crystal awards and |
| unforgivable crime. | | | | glass trophies, bespoke awards, desk items, key |
| The ancient Romans however kept their trophies | | | | rings, paperweights, and promotional gifts. |
| much closer to home. They built magnificent trophies | | | | Trophies can take the shape of two-handled cups, |
| in Rome, including columns and arches atop great | | | | bowls, or mugs (all usually engraved); statues of |
| foundations. Unfortunately most of the stone | | | | people, animals, and architecture while displaying |
| trophies that once adorned huge stone memorials in | | | | words, numbers or images. Many different styles are |
| Rome have been long since stolen. | | | | available, and it is completely up to the customer |
| Moving on to the Middle Ages, chalices were often | | | | which style and design they prefer for their |
| given to winners of sporting events at least as early | | | | ceremony. Styles include the dome tower, steeple, |
| as the very late 1600s. For example the Kyp Cup | | | | tapered portrait, cube and monochrome. |
| (made by silversmith Jesse Kyp), a small two-handled | | | | |