Spitfire Cock (“Battle of Britain”?) by Noah Taylor, Patinated Brass & Copper, Unique, 19cm high,10cm wide, 15cm deep, Abstract, Humorous, Cockrell, Green, Other sculpture
Spitfire Cock (“Battle of Britain”) by Noah Taylor is a unique patinated brass and copper sculpture measuring 19 cm high, 10 cm wide, and 15 cm deep. The piece combines whimsy and symbolism, merging the form of a cockerel with elements of wartime aviation.
At first glance, the sculpture’s bold composition draws attention to the cockerel’s head, mounted proudly on top of a mechanical contraption. The bird faces forward with its beak open, as if mid-call, suggesting both defiance and vitality. Beneath it, a tall rectangular body forms the base. Built from brass and copper components that echo the industrial aesthetic of early aircraft.
Two large wheels support the structure, while a smaller rear wheel gives it balance and a sense of potential motion. Around the upper section, miniature airplane wings, tail fins, and a front propeller project from different sides of the rectangle. These playful additions transform the piece into a hybrid of machine and creature, half bird, half aircraft.
Taylor’s patinated surfaces deepen the visual texture, giving the sculpture a weathered, battle-worn quality. The work humorously yet poignantly recalls the courage and eccentricity of the Battle of Britain era. The piece blending mechanical ingenuity with the spirited symbolism of the cockerel, a national emblem of pride and resilience.
