Hilliard and Thomason was established in Birmingham, and closed in 1908.Sterling silver presentation trowel in blue leather hinged presentation trowel with blue suade and satin lining. The trowel handle is silver plate and can be screwed off the trowel, and is hollow. The trowel is hallmarked H&T = Hilliard and Thomason - Sovereign Head/Duty Stamp = 1784 - 1890 - Lion passant guardant = silver quality- Anchor = Birmingham - b in oval = 1876Engraved into the trowel "Presented by the President & Council School of Mines Ballarat to the Hon. A.J. Peacock Minister of Public Instruction on his laying the Foundation Stone of New Buildings April 14th 1899hilliard and thomason, silver, presentation trowel, ballarat school of mines, new classrooms, administration building, buildings, andrew peacock, andrew j. peacock, silversmith, a building

This trophy represents the winning the of Beechworth V.F.C at the 1877 Double-Hose Competition on the 26th of December against Wangaratta. This competition was an annual event which took place as part of the Christmastide Festivities in Beechworth on Boxing Day. This Trophy was created by the British silver manufacturing company, Hilliard and Thomason in Birmingham, England in 1877.This trophy holds significance for the Burke Museum Collection and the history of Beechworth. Due to its historical associations with the Beechworth Double-Hose Competition in 1877, it holds significance as an important item representing Beechworth's history. It further provides a point of research in this area, and further investigation into Beechworth's history.A silver trophy cup.THE CUP AND FIVE GUINEAS / won by / THE BEECHWORTH V.F.C. / AT WANGARATTA / 26TH Dec. 1877 / DOUBLE HOSE COMPETITION / TIME 59 SECONDSstreet of shops exhibition, silver trophy, double-hose competition, beechworth, wangaratta, 1877 v.f.c