Sykes Charles R

Year working: 1875 – 1950

Famous artist and sculptor who made many designs for car mascots including the famous ‘winged lady’ for Rolls-Royce. This mascot designed in 1911 is still in use today. He also painted scenes incorporating Rolls-Royce cars used in the early sales brochure for the 40/50 Hp cars in 1910/1911. Six paintings were commissioned in 1909 which show the arrival at the opera, a country house, a salmon river and a shooting covet side. For one a pair of pictures see lot 114 Sotheby's sale 17 June 1997. In 1932/33 Sykes was commissioned to design a new mascot for Bentley Motors many sketches were produced and several of these have appeared in auction. He also painted a front cover for Car Illustrated in 1908 and the artwork for an Avon Tyres advertisement in 1928. Used the psuedonym RILETTE in later life for some of his advertising artwork including Rolls-Royce.

Returning Home From A Christmas Fancy Dress Ball (Consternation of Hodge on being confronted with a vision of his satanic majesty). From The Car – Illustrated magazine 18th December 1907. Image courtesy of Malcolm Jeal

Illustration from Alice In Wonderland Image courtesy of Malcolm Jeal

Illustration for a serialised story in The Car - Illustrated 19th December 1906. Image courtesy of Malcolm Jeal

Arrival at the Opera, early Rolls royce advertising commission

Christmas Card design 1903

Illustration signed RILETTE

Street Scene

1929 Rolls-Royce advertisement signed Rilette