AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN SILVER FLAGON

This impressive flagon was the trophy presented to the thoroughbred stallion Metallist for winning the Nemzeti-Dij also called Egyesitett Nemzeti es Hazafi dij (The Hungarian Two Thousand Guineas) in 1884. Metallist foaled in 1881 went on to win twenty-five races over five seasons including the Austria Trial Stakes. He was later a stallion for Count Emerich Hunyady.

The jug is chased with important symbols of Hungary starting with the sárkány or dragon, a legendary monster found in Hungarian mythology, and notably with views of the the Széchenyi Chain Bridge that spans the river Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The bridge was designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark and built by Scottish engineer Adam Clark. Its construction was largely funded by the Greek merchant Georgios Sinas who had financial and land interests in the city. Opened in 1849, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary and at 202 metres (663 ft) one of the largest in the world at the time. It had a highly significant impact on the country's economic, social and cultural life.