1896 QCBC Rowing Presentation Biscuit Barrel – Oak with Silver-Plated Mounts & C

Charming late-Victorian biscuit barrel in coopered oak with silver-plated metal mounts and a white ceramic liner. The lid is engraved “Q.C.B.C. Trial Eights 1896” and lists the crew, cox, and coach—suggesting it was presented as a rowing prize or memento. “Trial Eights” are the internal selection races run by the Oxford and Cambridge boat clubs ahead of the Boat Race, so the engraving ties the barrel precisely to the 1896 season.
The removable liner is printed with a winged Cupid above the Latin motto “SEMPER PARATUS.” That Cupid-and-motto mark was used on ceramic liners supplied for silver-mounted wares by John Grinsell & Sons of Birmingham (their Cupid trade mark was registered in 1879), making Grinsell the likely maker or outfitter for this barrel. Please check out all my other listings!
Please note most items are vintage or antique and they may have slight imperfections that are not necessarily flaws but add character to the piece that may include uneven paint, glue residue, dimpl