Large bronze Spirit of Ecstasy statue. This girl with nickel silver-plated bronze wings is a reproduction of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the mascot that has adorned the Rolls-Royce radiator since 1911. The mascot is a design by Charles Sykes, based on the actress and model Eleanor Thornton (1880-1915). The figurine shows a woman hunched over with her arms stretched behind her, her clothes fluttering like wings. Also known as “Emily”, this statue is one of the most famous figures in automotive history.
The Spirit of Ecstasy, also called 'Emily', 'Silver-Lady' or 'Flying Lady', was designed by Charles Robinson Sykes and symbolizes a secret love between John Walter Edward Scott-Montagu, (2nd Lord Montagu of Beaulieu) and her lover and mascot model Eleonora Velasco Thornton.
Thornton was 22 when she became Scott-Montagu's secretary. They then had a secret relationship for over ten years. Thornton's low social status was an obstacle to marriage. Scott-Montagu meanwhile married Cecil Victoria Constance, but the secret love affair with Thornton continued.
Marble may present slight color deviations as it is a natural product.
