Relevant categories: Bronzes,Architectural Salvage
The bronze Flying Lady - also referred to as the Spirit of Ecstasy - has to be one of the most enduring design classics of the art nouveau era. Depicting a winged lady with flowing robes, the statue really gained fame after being used as the figurine which adorns the hoods (bonnets) of Rolls Royce cars.
The original Flying Lady (Spirit of Ecstasy) statue was designed by English sculpturist Charles Sykes and there is a great story around it's inception. Of course at Canonbury Antiques we carry a range of Flying Lady statues and Spirit of Ecstasy figurines in our North London / Herts showroom and we can ship them to anywhere in the world. For Rolls Royce enthusiasts they are the perfect gift as well as fans of classic art nouveau sculptures.
Charles Robinson Sykes designed the first Flying Lady statue (Spirit of Ecstasy mascot) in 1909 after being commissioned by Lord Montagu to create a mascot for his Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. The statue is also sometimes called the Silver Lady or Emily after the story of the secrent passion between Lord Montagu and his secret love, muse and model for the emblem Eleanor Velasco Thornton. Montagu commissioned Sykes to make the mascot for his Rolls and this original one was first called the Whisper. Emily was Montagu's mistress and they even had a daughter together Joan Eleanor Thornton who was put up for adoption. A bronze plaque has been placed in Eleanor's memory in Beaulieu Abbey Church, beside the family pew. Joan's ashes were scattered on the family grave in Beaulieu Abbey.
So that's the brief but wonderful story behind the creation of the Flying Lady statue ( Spirit of Ecstasy mascot) and it really is wonderful. The energy and movement of the sculpture really manages to capture the spirt of the art nouveau age and the 1930s with it's idealised version of the female form. Of course, if you are wealthy enough they look great on the bonnet (hood) of Rolls Royce cars - they also make great collectors statues for the home or office.
At Canonbury Antiques we carry a range of Flying Lady statues ( Spirit of Ecstasy figurines) in various sizes and colours. One of our larger models is over three feet tall and makes for a great floor statue. We also carry various other sizes in both bronze (brown finishes) although the silver bronze finish, which replicates that as found on the Rolls Royce is also a popular model. Many are on display in our North London / Hertfordshire showroom so please get in touch for an appointment, we are only 25 minutes north of London in the leafy Herts countryside.
( The original Whisperer Bronze by Charles Sykes )
We can also ship these Flying Lady statues ( Spirit of Ecstasy figurines) to anywhere in the world so please get in touch for a shipping quote. We have literally shipped to every corner of the planet. Alongside these classic art nouveau bronzes we also carry art deco, blackamoors, fountains, architectural bronzes and animals for outside. We also specialise in antique dining sets. Victorian dining tables, Regency pedestal tables with matching Chippendale, William IV or balloon back chairs. We also love art deco furniture and bronzes. Partial to Chinese and Asian porcelain, as well as contintental ceramics. Bronzes, lighting, oil paintings, sconces, Continental antiques and furniture. All the big architectural stuff - fountains, lifesize bronze animals, statues, marbles, water features and sculptures - are outside in our special section. We also offer special discounts to interior designers who love our selection of Flying Lady statues ( Spirit of Ecstasy figurines) for their projects.
Please enjoy some videos of Flying Lady figurines from the Canonbury Antiques YouTube channel:
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