Pig-sticking Cup, 1903 (c)

Silver, possibly Indian European, made by P Q S, no hallmark, 1903 (c).

Pig sticking, the hunting of wild pig by mounted spearmen, was a popular, exciting and sometimes dangerous pastime of British and Indian cavalrymen. According to the 1911 edition of the 'Encyclopedia Britannica', the Army believed the sport to be good training since 'a startled or angry wild boar is a desperate fighter [therefore] the pig-sticker must possess a good eye, a steady hand, a firm seat, a cool head and a courageous heart'. In India officers took part in pig-sticking events, the most famous of which was the Kadir Challenge Cup. This trophy, which has pigs' tusk handles and three supporting legs in the form of pig's legs, is inscribed: 'Presented by president Poona Hunt to the winner of the Bheema cup'.