Large vintage bronze gold coloured Spirit of Ecstasy statue

A large Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy Sculpture, also called Eleanor, Silver Lady or Flying Lady, with a gold metal finish on a black marble base, an elegant reproduction of the 1911 Charles Sykes design finished in a gold sheen mounted on a 31cm black marble base.

Condition - The statue is vintage and there are small casting and scratch marks but nothing detracts from the beauty of the sculpture, a wonderful gift for Rolls Royce enthusiasts.

The Story behind the statue - A story about the secret passion between John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu and Eleanor Velasco Thornton. Eleanor (also known as Thorn) was the secretary of John Walter, who fell in love with her in 1902 when she worked for him. Their secret love was to remain hidden, limited to their circle of friends, for more than a decade. The reason for the secrecy was Eleanor's impoverished social and economic status, which was an obstacle to their love. On the other hand, Montagu was married to Lady Cecil Victoria Constance Kerr in 1889. The precursor to the Spirit of Ecstasy was named "The Whisper" and was created for Montagu's 1910 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. Charles Sykes was commissioned for the work and chose Eleanor Thornton as its model. A second version was created to adorn all Rolls Royce cars and Charles Sykes was once again chosen to create the new model. He once again chose Eleanor Thornton as the model and sought to convey the image of "the spirit of ecstasy who has selected road travel as her supreme delight...she is expressing her keen enjoyment, with her arms outstretched and her sight fixed upon the distance.

Excluding delivery, please enquire including a postcode for a delivery quote or to arrange collection.