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Swarovski crystal rocking horse on sale for £96,000

By: Rachael Woods

Published: 00:01, 12 October 2016

A rocking horse encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals is on sale for a staggering £96,000.

She has been named Crystal and is the latest creation of Bethersden firm Stevenson Brothers, which made the horse, and Fernandes Exquisite Creations, which commissioned the design and provided the jewelled finish.

The creation, the first in its field, was unveiled in London last week in the showroom of Pluckley firm Catchpole and Rye, alongside a crystal-studded bath made by the luxury bathroom seller.

Crystal the rocking horse

The steel-grey dappled horse, sits on a base of black oak and its fittings are made of silver.

“When light shines on the horse it’s like the most awesome glitter ball ever,” said Marc Stevenson, who handcrafted the rocking horse, working with twin Tony.

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The project was born when Marc was approached with the idea by ballroom and Latin dancers Nuno and Rebecca Fernandes, owners of Fernandes Exquisite Creations.

“It was a dream come true,” said Marc. “They use lots of crystals in their dance wear and they said they would love to see a rocking horse covered in them.

“We had been waiting to do something as amazing as this in the 34 years since the company was formed,” Marc enthused.

The Stevenson brothers usually take about eight weeks to produce one of their rocking horses, which are sold internationally, but Crystal was a real labour of love and took six months to complete.

“Companies have used Swarovski crystals on iPhone covers and Mercedes cars but they have never been used on a rocking horse.

Marc Stevenson, one of Crystal, the rocking horse's creators with Ria Rendo-Castro, of Catchpole and Rye, who have made a crystal encrusted bath

“One of the challenges was working out which glue would make the crystals stick best so we practised sticking them on panels to find the best glue.

“We used 82,000 crystals on the rocking horse and they will stay on for ever,” said Marc.

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The incredible creation is to be the subject of a TV documentary to be screened at Christmas. However, details are being kept secret as the programme is still in production.

Last month the firm produced a rocking horse that was auctioned at Kensington Palace in aid of Bobbing children’s Hospice Demelza House. It was the top seller, raising £5,500.

Its base was autographed by actress Joanna Lumley, who inscribed it “cheers Dotty, rock on sweetie, Love Joanna Lumley.”

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