Rodin ‘copy’ was an original

Press, 8 July 1989, Page 22

Rodin ‘copy’ was an original

NZPA-PA London One of “Coronation Street’s” best-loved characters has left a valuable legacy to medical science.

But the actress Violet Carson, who played the vinegary Ena Sharpies in the long-running television series, died without knowing the true value of the bronze statue that has benefited her favourite charity.

She always believed the 40-cm statue that stood in her living room until her death in 1983 was merely a copy of Rodin’s The Kiss, but experts disagreed with the probate report.

It was sent to the Rodin Museum in Paris where specialists confirmed it was the work of the famous French sculptor. Rodin modelled the original in 1886 and the sculpture was one of 105 cast in the Barbedienne foundry. When it came up for sale, at the auctioneer’s London saleroom recently, the Muscular Dystrophy Group reaped a £27,500 ($NZ74,044) bonus.

A Group spokesperson said: “We are absolutely thrilled. It is a marvellous surprise and the money will go to help research into a possible cure for this terrible disease.”