The Mananan Trophy awarded to Mona Douglas

Date made: 1972

Maker: Austwick, Eric

Description: The Mananan Trophy was organised annually by Ellynyn ny Gael (the Arts of the Gaels), and was presented to people who had made outstanding contributions to Manx and Celtic culture. Designed by Eric Austwick it depicts the Manx God Manannan. The trophy lists the winners from 1961-1978, which include Manx Museum Director Basil Megaw and Mona Douglas.

It was Mona Douglas who first identified Manannan as the patron of Manx culture, and it was her work with Ellynyn ny Gael which led to the development of the Mananan Trophy; subsequently revived as the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan (Manannan's Choice of the Year.) She was awarded the Mananan Trophy herself in 1972 and in 1988 the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan was posthumously awarded for her huge contribution to Manx culture. Mona Douglas (1898-1987) was one of the most important figures in the 20th century Manx cultural revival. She was involved in many different spheres at the same time - language, music, dance, drama, crafts - as either collector, practitioner or promoter.

Manx artist Eric Austwick lived in Maughold. It was here that he saw the intricate Celtic crosses which influenced much of his work. In 1930, he studied under Archibald Knox at the Douglas School of Art, where he decided to go into art as a career. An artists of many talents, he was a cartoonist, carpet designer, sculptor, poet, painter and book critic.

The plaque reads:

Ellyn Ny Gael
Mananan Trophy
Lhiat myr Hoilliu

Presented by Stephen K Quyale
Designed by Eric Austwick

Holders of Mananan Trophy
1961 David Craine. M.B.E., M.A., C.P.
1962 Ramsey N. Moore. O.B.E.
1963 William Walter Gill.
1964. Carl J. S. Marstrander.
1965. John Nicholson. R.I.
1966. Philip Leighton Stowell.
1967. Rev. William Wood. M.A.
1968 John Gell.
1969 George Tootell, Mus.Doc. F.R.C.O
1970 B.R.s. Megaw. M.A, F.S.A., F.M.A
1971 Ned Maddrell.
1972 Constance Mona Douglas. Poet. Author.
1973 George Edward Quayle
1974 Douglas Crebbin Fargher.
1975. Harold S Cain C.P.
1976 John Quilliam.
1977 Louis Victor Crellin.
1978 Eric Austwick. Artist

Measurements: 40 x 17 x 17 cm

Materials: copper alloy, wood

Object name: trophy

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 1988-0597

Subject tags : #MM100BEAUTIFULTHINGS

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