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Crystal Palace Challenge Trophy

Silver-gilt trophy of a Victorian-Gothic design.

In 1872 and 1873 it was offered by the Crystal Palace, London, as a challenge trophy for an international choral competition. On both occasions this was won by the South Wales Choral Union under the conductorship of ‘Caradog’ (Griffith Rhys Jones of Aberdare, Glamorgan), but the competition was then discontinued. Just over 100 years ago ‘The Caradog Cup’ played a crucial role in producing the image of Wales as ‘The Land of Song’.

This magnificent trophy marks the start of Wales’s reputation for choral singing. It was the first prize in a choral competition held at the Crystal Palace, London, in 1872 and 1873. Côr Mawr, a huge choir of 460 voices from industrial south Wales, won it both times. The choir’s conductor, Caradog, became a hero. The cup is known in Wales as Caradog’s Cup. Between 1900 and 1938 it was awarded as a prize at the National Brass Bands Festival.

Crystal Palace Challenge Trophy, known as the Caradog Cup
Image: © Bromley Museum Collection/Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
The Côr Caradog Cup
Image: © Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
The Côr Caradog Cup
Image: © Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales

Collection Area

Social & Cultural History

Item Number

F74.232

Acquisition

Loan

Measurements

height (cm):100
width (cm):46
depth (cm):46

Techniques

gilded
METAL WORKING

Material

silver

Location

St Fagans Wales Is gallery : Music

Collections Online is updated regularly, but please confirm that an object remains on display before making a special visit.

Categories

Music loans in

Comments - (4)

Nia Evans Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
23 December 2020, 15:04

Hi Melvyn Harrison,

Thank you for getting in touch with us. I have passed your enquiry to my colleagues within the enterprise team, they will hopefully be able to advise further on this.

Many thanks,

Nia
(Digital team)

Melvyn Harrison
8 December 2020, 12:13
Hello
Does the museum publish a book on the Crystal Palace Challenge Trophy (Item no.F74.232) or produce any postcards, etc.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks

Melvyn Harrison
Chairman
Crystal Palace Foundation (Registered Charity)
www.crystalpalacefoundation.org.uk
Marc Haynes Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
18 June 2019, 14:50
Hi Suzanne,

Thank you very much for contacting us. The trophy is on permanent display in the 'Wales Is...' display in St Fagans National Museum of History, so you will be able to see it if you decide to visit in September.

Best wishes,

Marc
Digital Team
Suzanne Farris
18 June 2019, 01:23
I'm the great-granddaughter of one of the men that was in the "Caradog Choir" in 1872, will the Crystal Palace trophy they won be on display in September?
Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.

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Crystal Palace Challenge Trophy, known as the Caradog Cup
© Bromley Museum Collection/Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
The Côr Caradog Cup
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
The Côr Caradog Cup
© Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
  • Crystal Palace Challenge Trophy, known as the Caradog Cup
  • The Côr Caradog Cup
  • The Côr Caradog Cup