Shannon O’Neill's Randox Health Grand National Trophy 2019
Shannon O’Neill creates DNA double helix silverware for Grand National Trophy
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Silversmith Shannon O’Neill was commissioned for a third consecutive year to create the ‘Randox Health Grand National Trophy’. The commission brief was to design something ‘very different from last year’.
Inspiration came from the sponsors of the event Randox, who wanted the trophy to showcase their most recent breakthroughs in health care: heart disease, Alzheimers, stroke and dairy screening. The preventative healthcare company and the emphasis on saving and extending lives allowed O’Neill to focus on optimum health.
“Choosing the theme of ‘Celebration’ and based on the classic ‘coupes’ style champagne glass, the top bowl of the Trophy has a mixture of chased and engraved detail. Healthy brain synapses, form the background, whilst red and white blood cells and (dairy) fat cells masquerade as champagne bubbles. An ECG resting, healthy heartbeat of a thoroughbred provides the top line of engraved detail that spells out the RANDOX” Says the designer Shannon O’Neill.
“The stem is inspired by the DNA double helix. From a distance, I wanted it to look like a typical biological image, but upon closer inspection, you’ll see that the two outer DNA strands are covered with racing plates, as if they’re magnetized to the surface …. After visiting the Palace Museum in Newmarket, I was fascinated to hear that 95% of all modern thoroughbreds, can all be traced back to just one unbeaten champion in the 1700’s, so this detail pays homage to that. Also, horseshoes are of course a symbol of good luck and who wouldn’t want some of that. To give it some continuity from last year, the base reads: 'Randox Health Grand National 2018', with a red crystal for the centre of the ‘O’, to represent the drop of blood in the Randox logo" She explained.
Shannon had 16 weeks to create the trophy and replicas, and teamed up with Andy and Carl at Padgham and Putland to get the best job done in the short time frame. In total eight master craftsmen were involved in the manufacture of the pieces including a spinner, chaser, engraver, polisher and plater.
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