Rolls-Royce 'Spirit of Ecstasy' - Blazing A Trail 110 Years On!
As a symbol of the continuity of tradition on the world's most innovative, opulent and cutting-edge luxury cars, the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' remains the most important element of any Rolls-Royce design.
It is interesting to note that for all of their cutting-edge innovation and technology, the most important element of any Rolls-Royce car is also the oldest - the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot poised to take flight from the end of the bonnet.
It is equally incredible to think that for 28 years until 1939, each and every Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy emblem was hand-moulded and finished by the statuette’s original sculptor, Charles Sykes.
Now celebrating her 110th anniversary, the ‘Flying Lady’ mascot was commissioned by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, designed and sculpted by the famous illustrator Charles Sykes. Up until that point, owners had been commissioning their own ornaments to adore their Rolls-Royce radiator grilles. In 1911 the Spirit of Ecstasy became the standard across all cars, officially becoming the intellectual property of Rolls-Royce.
The original Spirit of Ecstasy was based on Charles Syke’s bronze sculpture known as “The Whisper,” which is now displayed in the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. The final emblem, measuring some 18cm in height and modelled on Eleanor Thornton, was cast in a slightly different pose that has survived to this day.
As with many statues, the Spirit of Ecstasy was originally cast using the Cire-Perdue or ‘lost wax’ method of sculpture. The statue was firstly sculpted in wax, surrounded by a hardened material, the entire object heated to melt the wax within which would subsequently flow out and hence be ‘lost,’ leaving a perfect mould to cast each and every new mascot going forward.
However, over time, the moulds required refining to maintain the Spirit’s crisply defined features, and in 2003, the Spirit of Ecstasy was digitally remastered to sharpen and enhance its details. Following 3D modelling, a precision-made wax statue was formed, surrounded in ceramic, heated to melt the wax within and harden the outer material, leaving a perfect mould for future castings.
While the ‘standard’ Spirit of Ecstasy is cast in stainless steel melted to 1,600 degrees celsius, solid silver, glass and even gold and carbon fibre versions are available.
The 'Spirit of Ecstasy' assumes a mystical persona in Black Badge form, enveloped in black on this Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge I tested and reviewed recently. Image by Robert Kierans.
Perhaps the most important role that the Spirit of Ecstasy plays on modern Rolls-Royce cars is to illustrate the continuity of tradition. This is particularly important as Rolls-Royce continually pushes the boundaries of innovation and technology in their relentless pursuit of the vision of the company’s founders to “take the very best that exists and make it better.”
Rolls-Royce cars offer an unparalleled sense of occasion, opulence and tranquility, wrapped in a bespoke package meticulously hand-built by some of the finest craftspeople in the world. The technology on board from the state-of-the-art satellite-guided ‘Flagbearer’ suspension system to the incredible research and development that goes into that famously silent and tranquil ride quality, renders each of the company’s models a true technological tour-de-force.
The one constant however is the Spirit of Ecstasy, twinkling like a diamond at the end of the bonnet. The magic this brings to every journey is remarkable, and having been lucky enough to experience several Rolls-Royce cars, I have certainly spent many happy driving hours behind the wheel with Eleanor guiding the way!
It is also wonderful to see how Rolls-Royce have incorporated the Spirit of Ecstasy silhouette in other elements of the car, for example subtly embossed into the leather of the door cards, and beautifully inlaid into the top of the polished multimedia rotary controller.
So while the Spirit of Ecstasy is now 110 years old, I doubt we will ever see a Rolls-Royce, however futuristic in appearance in another 110 years, without the ‘Flying Lady’ gracing the radiator grille.
Rolls-Royce Phantom photography by Dennis Keane (denniskeane.myportfolio.com), all other images (unless noted otherwise) by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
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