NNP

Trophy.  A number of individual objects grouped together to form a design element indicating a greater significance or symbol. Earliest trophies were formed after military battles when the victor stacked the vanquish's armor, weapons, flags, standards and such in a pile as a monument to their victory. This pictorial symbol has appeared on medallic items many times as a symbol of military victory on battle medals.

By extension any pastiche of small related objects might indicate a victory over

some evil or enemy of man, as a trophy of firefighting equipment exhibits a victory

over fire. And by further extension the symbolism indicates success (a theatrical medal of 1804 England with a trophy of small theatrical objects indicated success on the stage).

Reference:                                                                                                                               

S5 {1974} Stafford and Ware, p 219.

excerpted with permission from

An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

Roger W. Burdette, Editor