Lalique trophy, 'La perla del mediterraneo' 1907 and photographic equipment c.1910. These objects reflect some of the private interests of Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (1882-1942).
Lionel Nathan de Rothschild
A Partner at New Court from 1915, Lionel became Senior Partner in 1923. Lionel's primary passion was horticulture, describing himself as 'a banker by hobby but a gardener by profession'. In 1919 he purchased the Exbury estate where he created his famous rhododendron gardens.
As a young man, speed was a thrill. With his friend, the Hon. John Scott-Montagu Lionel entered the 1905 challenge for the Harmsworth Trophy, a powerboat racing prize. In 1907 the pair won the prestigious 'Perla del Mediterraneo' in Lionel’s boat the Flying Fish. The gold and pearl trophy was designed by René Lalique (1860-1945), the famous French jeweller and glass designer.
Lionel was also an early pioneer of the autochrome, the first widely available colour photographic process, launched in Britain in 1907.
