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1099

A Charcoal Drawing by Charles Sykes, most Rolls-Royce Historians agree that Charles Sykes drew hi...

Currency:GBP Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 GBP
A Charcoal Drawing by Charles Sykes, most Rolls-Royce Historians agree that Charles Sykes drew hi...
A Charcoal Drawing by Charles Sykes, most Rolls-Royce Historians agree that Charles Sykes drew his inspiration for both his original Whisperer and later Spirit of Ecstasy mascots from the graceful shape of the then secretary to Lord Montagu of Beauliew, Eleanor Thornton. This charcoal drawing would appear to have been done in preparation for the sculpting of the mascots and Sykes' brief from the then Managing Director of Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson, was to evoke the Spirit of the mythical beauty Nike, whose image was to be admired in the Louvre. This he managed to enhance with the image of Miss Thornton. Originally the property of Miss Thornton these drawings were loaned to the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club by one of her descendents for the opening of their headquarters in 1980, they still carry the label verifying this fact. Both this drawing and its companion have a unique place in the history of the most famous motor car of them all, Rolls-Royce, and its crowning glory, the most famous mascot of them all, The Spirit of Ecstacy, 52cm by 39.5cm See illustration £1000-1500
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