B.
Christchurch Idol
Behind the scenes
We'd like to think that we know the Christchurch Art Gallery collection inside-out, and generally speaking, we do.
![The underside of Eternal Idol, showing the penny sealed in place.](/media/cache/e0/1c/e01cea086e70846453eb50d4c323f4a0.jpg)
The underside of Eternal Idol, showing the penny sealed in place.
But up until last week, we had no idea that a 1961 penny was holding the display rod inside Rodin's Eternal Idol in place. It might not be standard archival practice, but it's worked a treat all these years.
![Auguste Rodin Eternal Idol 1959. Bronze. Presented by the New Zealand Government from the New Zealand Fund in France For Cultural Development, 1964](/media/cache/15/10/15103d1738ca611ba6bbebc3ece77061.jpg)
Auguste Rodin Eternal Idol 1959. Bronze. Presented by the New Zealand Government from the New Zealand Fund in France For Cultural Development, 1964