Life of Riley

Well, no, perhaps not. Pierrot is the sad clown pining for Columbine, his heart's desire, who seems to prefer the colourful Harlequin. Pierrot's only friend then is the distant moon.

There is a cycle of poems by the Belgian poet Albert Giraud, Pierrot Lunaire, a most amazing work of 50 pieces. Some 21 of these were set by the Austrian composer Arnold Shoenberg , an atonal and melodramatic work illustrating Pierrot's dark journey through a strange moonlit world where, among many other adventures, he is preyed upon by giant black moths. Not an easy listen, and not easy symbolism.

But forget all that and just enjoy this Pierrot car mascot, seen on a wonderful cream and black Riley gleaming in the sunshine. Trying to find out the model but so far no success. It was curvy in all the right places and immaculate.