The Carved Lion of "The Great Lafayette"
The Carved Lion of "The Great Lafayette"
Reference Number: D8880
An early Edwardian hand carved statue of a lion, made from solid walnut and commissioned by the “Great Lafayette” to hold the advertisement poster for his famous illusionist show “ The Lions Bride” circa 1890.
Born Sigmund Neuberger in Munich 1871, The Great Lafayette emigrated to the USA with his family as did his friend Harry Houdini. Both Neubeger and Houdini had the good fortune to be born in an era that revered great illusionist and thanks to emerging technology their fame spread quickly around the globe. Off stage the Great Lafayette was shy and introvert, Houdini bought him a dog so he wasn’t alone, the magician adored her beyond anything else. “The more of people I see the more I prefer my dog Beauty” he was known to have said. Neuberger became The Great Lafayette “ The Man of Mystery” and his signature illusion “The Lions Bride” was the envy of all illusionists of the time.
In may of 1911 the Great Lafayette was performing at the Empire Palace Theatre Edinburgh when Beauty his dog fell sick and died. Deeply devestated Neuberger carried on with his show, the night of his last performance the stage caught fire, although the audience escaped unharmed, ten people and several animals were burned to death, including the Great Lafayette and his lion.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - with a beautiful patina that only comes with age
SIZE
Height: 133cm
Width: 86cm
Depth: 57cm
