Estelle Muller.

Franck's beloved mother Estelle can be seen portrayed within the base of this ornate China cup. Growing old was her greatest fear and in order to spare her from this fate Franck worked tirelessly to find an alternative. After many years of experimentation, occasionally resulting in the near death of Estelle, Herr Muller finally discovered a way to preserve her youth. He carefully and painstakingly encased her within this object, as he felt it symbolised her fragility and delicate beauty. There she has remained ever since. ZB