A fine polo trophy for The Pringle Challenge Shield competed for between 1922 and 1939 at the Goriajan Club on the Koomtai Tea Estate, Assam, India, h
£600 - £800
A fine polo trophy for The Pringle Challenge Shield competed for between 1922 and 1939 at the Goriajan Club on the Koomtai Tea Estate, Assam, India, hallmarked Atkins Brothers, Sheffield, 1922, the large shield measuring 45 by 34cm. inscribed THE PRINGLE CHALLENGE SHIELD, GORIAJAN, 1922, with floral decoration and set on an ebonised wooden shield-shaped base with easel support, and set with 18 plaques, mostly bearing full silver hallmarks, each inscribed with details of the annual winning polo team, the plaques for 1933 & 1939 further inscribed DHUNSIRI and NAZIRA CLUB respectively, suggesting the competition was no longer exclusively held at the Goriajan Club, overall 60 by 48cm., good condition, minor scuffs and scratches to ebonised base The Goriajan Club was located in Assam at Sankala Gaon on the Koomtai Tea Estate with polo first played there sometime between 1897 and 1914. The Pringle family was originally from the Carriber Estate in West Lothian, Scotland. Extensive family research including the connections with India tea plantations and the Goriajan Club can be found published on the website www.koi-hai.com.