Victorian Polished Steel Sphinx English Brewer's Advertising Mascot, third quarter 19th century, Northernhay Brewery, Exeter, the recumbent mythological beast, cast in two halves and bolted through the plinth base, cast with the motto "Puritas Viresque", h. 28-1/2", l. 40", w. 12". This handsome figure was the trademark of the Northernhay Brewery, which opened around 1846 under the direction of John Hyett at the premises of the Devon & Exeter Foundry on New North Road, Exeter. Heyer was probably responsible for casting the large sphinx which appeared on the pediment of the building, adorned with the brewery's motto "Puritas Viresque" ("Pure and Strong"). The brewery was assumed in 1869 by the Bristol firm of Charles Garton Russell & Co., which retained the sphinx logo. The company changed hands again briefly in 1900 before it was replaced by a tent and tarpauling manufacturing company. The building was demolished in November 1991, and was replaced by Longbrook House, a new block of offices for the Inland Revenue; the original sphinx, a long-time feature of the area, was refurbished and placed in a niche above the main entrance to the new building. The origin of the present lot is unknown, though undoubtedly it was used to promote the brewery's wares at one of its retail venues.