Antique Swiss Military Trophy 1927Art Deco Silvered Cup, Cavalry Telephone Operators — Switzerland, 1927

DETAILS:
Size: Height 20 cm (7.9 in) · Width handle to handle 31 cm (12.2 in)
Material: silvered metal mount; original cut glass bowl
Style/Period: Swiss Art Deco, 1927 — engraved presentation trophy
Weight: approximately 1.35 kg (3 lb)
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide
Condition: good; glass sound with no cracks or damage; silvered mount with attractive antique patina, as photographed
Returns: accepted within 30 days

Between the wars, the Swiss army maintained a rigorous programme of skills competitions and refresher courses across its cavalry brigades, and the telephone operator — the soldier responsible for maintaining field communications, a role of real technical importance in an era before radio was universal — was tested and rewarded like any other specialist. A trophy from one of these competitions is a small, specific window into military life of the period: not a battle honour, but recognition of competence, engraved with the exact dates and the exact unit, the kind of object that connects directly to a named event rather than to a general idea of history.

This trophy is Swiss, dated 1927, an Art Deco presentation cup combining a silvered metal mount with an original cut glass bowl. The mount rises from a stepped scalloped foot through a fluted collar to two curved handles, each sweeping outward and down in the confident geometric line of the period. Engraved around the rim of the silvered mount is the trophy's full original inscription, recording a proficiency competition for telephone operators of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, held during a refresher course at Grandson from the 22nd of August to the 3rd of September 1927 — the specific unit, place, and dates that give this piece its particular historical weight. The glass bowl itself is cut with a faceted geometric pattern at the base, consistent with the Art Deco taste for hard-edged ornament even in decorative glass.

The glass is in good condition with no visible cracks or damage; the silvered mount carries a handsome antique patina appropriate to its age, as photographed. A rare survival for collectors of Swiss military history, antique trophies, Art Deco design, or the history of military telecommunications.

It arrives professionally packed and fully insured. Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

Condition

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

European Union: no customs and no import charges. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days after dispatch.

United States: Maison Jaspers pays the tariffs and import duties for you.

United Kingdom: UK import VAT is payable on delivery (5% for antiques over 100 years old, otherwise 20%).

Other destinations: local import taxes may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you would like guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. Returns are free within the Netherlands and Belgium; from elsewhere you pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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