Rabbits, National Belgian Hare Club, Championship Cup, a gold and enamel badge by Fattorini, crossed British and American flags above hare running left, back named (Won by I. Noble, Crystal Palace, 1907), hallmarked Birmingham 1908, 29mm, 15ct, 16.22g. About very fine and very rare; with gold clip and ring for suspension (£50-70)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Medals from the Collection of James Spencer.

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The Belgian hare was developed in the early part of the 18th century by selective breeding of domestic and wild European rabbits, the intent being to produce a handsome and practical ‘meat’ rabbit. This animal, the leporine, was imported from Belgium into England in the mid-19th century and called the ‘Belgian Hare.’ At first it was bred more for its meat, but Belgian hare producers began to compete in small livestock shows and standards were first written in 1882