During a visit to a Vienna Secession Exhibition where he was one of the exhibitors, Ashbee was inspired by a Renaissance striding cockeral he saw.

Cf. Guild of Handicraft catalogue for circa 1905, illustrated, described as 'Gold and silver brooch, set pearl blister, sapphires, tourmaline, pearls and moonstones, price ¨15'; C.R. Ashbee, Craftsmanship in Competitive Industry, p. 205, illustrated