Spirit of Ecstasy
I came across this image in my archives. Taken 13 years ago at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK.
It is high contrast/ISO which is not my usual go-to presentation - but I feel that it sits well with the monochrome.
Many will recognise this as the iconic bonnet mascot for Rolls-Royce cars. If memory serves, this was atop the bonnet of the 1909 Silver Ghost.
Spirit of Ecstasy is also known as Eleanor, Silver Lady and Flying Lady. Designed by English sculptor Charles Robinson Sykes.
I learned that when John, 2nd Baron Montagu commissioned his friend to sculpt a personal mascot for the bonnet of his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Sykes chose Eleanor Velasco Thornton as his model.
The mascot stands 82 cm in height. All were silver-plated until 1914 and most now are made from stainless-steel, although silver and gold statuettes can still be ordered.
© All rights reserved.
Spirit of Ecstasy
I came across this image in my archives. Taken 13 years ago at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK.
It is high contrast/ISO which is not my usual go-to presentation - but I feel that it sits well with the monochrome.
Many will recognise this as the iconic bonnet mascot for Rolls-Royce cars. If memory serves, this was atop the bonnet of the 1909 Silver Ghost.
Spirit of Ecstasy is also known as Eleanor, Silver Lady and Flying Lady. Designed by English sculptor Charles Robinson Sykes.
I learned that when John, 2nd Baron Montagu commissioned his friend to sculpt a personal mascot for the bonnet of his 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Sykes chose Eleanor Velasco Thornton as his model.
The mascot stands 82 cm in height. All were silver-plated until 1914 and most now are made from stainless-steel, although silver and gold statuettes can still be ordered.
© All rights reserved.