An important Silver Gilt Mounted Riding Crop. The silver gilt openwork mounts marked with the incuse maker's mark of WF for the case maker William Fielder of London, 1838 and the handle, London, 1845

This exceptional piece is pictured on the attached images and the silver mounts are marked with the incuse maker's mark of WF for the case maker, William Fielder.  The exceptional openwork decoration is marked for London 1838 and the handle, London, 1845.  The top is engraved with "Swaine & Isaac London - maker's" who would have made the crop.

The baluster knop is chased with scrolling decoration on a matted ground and is inscribed at the top, "Presented by Lord Burghley and Mr Fitzwilliams, May 12th 1845".   Lord Burghley refers to William Alleyne Cecil, styled Lord Burghley between 1825 and 1867 until he succeeded as the 3rd Marquis of Exeter of the fabulous Burghley House (shown in the image stream) near Stamford, Lincolnshire.   Lord Burghley was a British Peer and Conservative politician.  He served as Treasurer of the Household between 1866 and 1867 and as Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentleman-at-Arms between 1867 and 1868.  

The handle displays elaborate chased open-work foliate scroll mounts, also depicting horse races with spectators packed in stands and lining the courses on foot and in their carriages.  This is one of the finest mounts we have seen on such a piece.  The scrolling and extended ferrule is engraved with the names of winners as detailed below:

The handle engraved with the following winners:
 
 Won by Mr Buchanan's Fugitive May 12th 1845
 Won by Lord Burghley's Stamboul Nov'r 18 1845
 Won by Mr Fitzwilliams' The Clown Mar 1847
 Won by Mr Fitzwilliams' Libation Jun 1847
 Won by Mr Gay's Sally Nov'r 1847
 Won by Mr Gay's B. G. Revolution, May 20th/48
 Won by Mr Evelyn's Nat Nov'r 4th 1848
 Won by Mr Wogan's Cayenne May 17th 1849
 Won by Lord Annesley's Shamrock Nov'r 16th 1849
 Won by Lord Annesley's Whitstone May 8th 1850
 Won by Mr Starkie's B. G. Smalls Nov'r 8th 1850
 Won by Mr Syke's Grisette June 1851
 Won by Mr Syke's Grisette Oct'r 1851
 Won by Mr Gibson's Lively Bob May 1852

The end has a typical woven whip and considering its size,  the length of the silver gilt mounts is 13 inches and the total length of the crop is 39.5 inches.

We expect that the races were held at Stamford Racecourse, drawing shown.   James Whyte's "History of the British Turf" notes that Stamford Racecourse was a mile in circumference and kept in good order and was situated on Wittering Heath.  He records the 3 day mid June meeting of 1839 and races such as The Marquis of Exeter Plate and Stamford Public Subscription Purse.  The final meeting at the racecourse was on 25th July, 1873 and all that remains today is part of the grandstand, also pictured.

This piece is in quite excellent condition and is a rare survivor, of exceptional quality, with links to this premier aristocratic family.  

Length of the silver gilt mounts: 13 inches, 32.5 cm.

Total Length: 39.5 inches, 98.75 cm.