www.laliquemascots.co.uk

The bottom left hand photo (facing you) is by kind
courtesy of the Le Mans Circuit Racing Car Museum, France (Musee du Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans)

Unique Lalique mascots/Hood Ornaments/Bouchons de Radiateur Mascottes:


Spring 2012

We bring to you the wonderful artwork of Lalique. A name synonyms throughout the art world with exquisite moulded and hand finished Chrystal glass.
A unique opportunity to form a lifelong art collection and true investment for you and your family to own and enjoy! We can freely give advise for those collector's who wish to form an investment portfolio for themselves or their family.

Background history:-

In 1925 Rene Jules Lalique created his first car hood/bonnet mascot as a direct commission from Andre Citroen. This mascot was produced for the Citroen Cinq
Chevaux (five horse power), the mascot was of five prancing horses in a line, one in front of the other (see photo above). From then on he continued to produce superb and sometimes stylized animal and bird representations in crystal glass.

Altogether there were officially twenty eight different types, but well over thirty if you include Sirene and Naiade (the small and large mermaids, first produced in 1920 as 'ornaments' or paperweights, then adapted as car mascots in 1925). A special commission of a running greyhound from H.R.H. Prince George of England, later to become King George V1 of Great Britain (in 1931, the official Lalique guide book by Felix Marcilhac states the introduction of this piece as being on 1st July 1929). Plus recent Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy (in 1994) along with the re-introductions by (Son) Marc Lalique and (Granddaughter ) Marie-Claude Lalique in 1949. Types which have now been re-introduced as presse-papier or paperweights include the Peacocks head (in 2006) the large version of the dragonfly (in 2009) Victoire & Vitesse (in 2010) and Longchamp 'B' (in 2011).
These exquisite sculptures inspired by naturalism, which are highly sought-after today by the most dedicated collectors. Lalique drew much inspiration from the popular Japanese art and far eastern-styles, together with the Art Deco Greco-Roman influences of that period.

C'est en 1925 Rene Jules Lalique realiser les bouchons de radiateur Cinq Chevaux pour Andre Citroen, pour omer les calendriers des prestigieux vehicules l'epoche. Ainsi naquirent les'27 celebres mascottes d'inspiration naturaliste, veristables sculptures en verre qui font aujourd'hui object de convoitise des plus grands collectionneur d'art., et Art Deco. S'inspirant de Japonisme, et son style extreme-oriental.

Quoting from a Breves Gallery advertisement of the inter-war period:

"The Height of Car Fashion Lalique Illuminated Mascots
They are exquisite renderings in glass of the inspiration of a master designer. Crowing the radiator or the scuttle of the car, the attempt almost to live in their brilliance and perfect form. They are as hard as metal to withstand rough wear.
The mascots are easily fitted on either the scuttle or the radiator caps as ordinary models. They are supplied on a metal base which contains lamp and connections for internal illumination of the mascot. The base carries a bolt which is used for anchorage in the ordinary way.
Breves' Lalique Galleries 2, Basil Street (Knightsbridge end of Sloan Street), Knightsbridge, London, S.W.3."


Advertisement taken from The Autocar magazine of May 1929-
To give you some idea of the promotion of these mascots at the time, we quote from an advertisement placed by Breves' Lalique Galleries being the sole U.K. agents and based in the up-market area of Sloane Street, London.

Quote:

"Mascots by Rene Lalique., Yes the greatest living artist in glass designed a series for the motorists of Paris-and it was the judgment of Paris that nothing so original had ever adorned a motorcar.
Beautiful by day, they are altogether captivating at night, when illuminated with concealed lights in rich and glowing colours. The models range from a team of charging horses to a dragon fly poised for flight, and there are appropriate designs for every type of car.
Exquisite works of art these, and practical too, for the glass is untarnishable and almost unbreakable. The authentic Lalique Mascots, signed by the artist, are obtainable only from Breves Galleries, where many other lovely forms of glass are on view-all by the same master hand".

Breves also used a letter from a very satisfied customer to promote the strength of the glass used in the mascots, quote:

"I bought from you last Spring one of your Falcon mascots for cars. It has toured over 10,000 miles in Central Europe over the worst roads imaginable and it is in as good condition as it was when it was new. This I think is pretty good, as the vibration must have been terrible".
Also to add my own experience of how tough they are, in that at one of our annual Marie Curie fundraising parties, I don't lock away the mascots on display but just put a large cloth over the whole open display stand that they are on. After one of these parties I removed the cloth and to my horror the cloth caught the large dragonfly mascot and it fell about 5' onto the hard floor! I put my hands on my face, crept up to it and to my delight it was fully intact!... This is a true story and my secretary will bear witness.

Advertisement taken from Punch the London magazine of June 1929, quote:

"Shinning Scintillating, lovely Lalique Car Mascots (the crystallised thoughts of the artist master craftsman Rene Lalique) are making their way to the bonnets of the cars of connoisseurs, there to stay poised, the dernier cri of aesthetic taste. Breves Galleries are the sold concessionnaires for these mascots for England and would urge you to make your choice while there is yet time, for only a certain number of them are being made, and when these are produced the moulds will be broken, thus ensuring rarity. Made of highly metallised glass, practically unbreakable, they are illuminated so that you can at once pick out your car at night.
Mascots for radiator or dash (usual fitting) £3.3.0
Mascots (with light fitting) £4.4.0"

Un-quote.

The average mans' weekly wage being £2.2.0 during this period. A pint of beer 1 & half pence.



So., as you can see from the above, these were not only very exclusive but very expensive ornaments even at that time, which graced sutch marques as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, Lagonda, Napier, Railton, Mercedes, Hispano-Suiza, Isotta Fraschini, Voisin, Delahaye, Delage, Duesenberg & Cord etc.............in fact the world's most prestigious automobiles of the era!



LALIQUE CAR MASCOTS/HOOD ORNAMENTS COLLECTION using Lalique's own catalogue (No.) numbers in order of date of introduction of the item. Also remarks regards realistic availability and rarity. All were produced during the inter-war period up until 1945 (one or two to 1948), unless stated otherwise along with the year of discontinuation. See below for star grading:-

**Sirene/Small Mermaid No.831 introduced in 1920 as a statue desk ornament and then adapted as a car mascot in 1925 with no 'exact' date of introduction by the factory. Quite scarce, one in stock in opalescent blue and another which is a grey tinted version available.

***Naiade/Large Mermaid No.832 ditto as above comments apply to this piece as well (very rare, one in stock)

***Cinq Chevaux/ Five Horses No.1122 introduced on 26th August 1925 (quite scarce), one in stock with period metal display base.

******Comete Etoile Filante/Comet Shooting Star No.1123 24th August 1925 (extreemly rare and desirable). One here in stock complete with contemporary period Breves Gallery lighting base.

**Faucon/Falcon No.1124 5th August 1925 (getting harder to find with an un-damaged vunarable beak), one in stock with light amethyst tint, another in plain clear glass available.

**Tireur d'arc/Archer No.1126 3rd August 1926 (getting harder to find good examples), one in stock mounted on Breves Gallery lighting base, another in stock with damaged base and mounted onto a clear plastic display base.

*Coq Nain/Cockerel No.1135 10th February 1928 (fairly plentifull), two in stock, another 1960's version available with 'Lalique Cristal' original gold label. One extreemly desirable example in deep green full colour by ***R.Lalique available.

***Tete de Belier/Rams Head No.1136 3rd February 1928 (quite scare), one in stock in a dark grey hue on Breves Gallery base and another available.

***Tete de Coq/Cocks Head No.1137 3rd February 1928 (getting scarce) one post-war and one **modern version in stock, discontinued in 2007.

**Tete d'Aigle/Eagles Head No.1138 14th March 1928 (getting scarce), two period pieces, one *post-war and another *modern boxed version in stock.

****Tete d'Epervier/Hawks Head No.1139 21st January 1928 (quite rare). Two in stock, one in clear glass and another in opalescent milky blue opaque white with fire-gilt highlights when seen in natural sunlight.

***Tete de Paon/Peacocks Head No.1140 3rd February 1928 (period examples are quite rare), two period example are here and several *modern boxed examples which was re-introduced in 2006, in stock.

***Levrier/Greyhound No.1141 14th March 1928 (quite scarce), one available with slight bruise to edge on its Breves Gallery lighting base.

*Saint-Christophe/St.Christopher No.1142 1st Mach 1928 (discontinued 1987). Not difficult to locate at this time three available from stock, one with its original box.

***Hirondelle/Swallow No.1143 10th February 1928 (quite scarce), one period piece on the Breves Gallery lighting base mount for mounting on the radiator cap, available and one **modern boxed version in stock, discontinued in 2008.

***Petite Libellule/Small Dragonfly No.1144 12th April 1928 (quite scarce), none in stock at this time, so please enquire if you are interested in this particular piece.

***Grand Libellule/Large Dragonfly No.1145 23rd May 1928 (quite scarce, especialy if un-damaged). Two period examples in stock, one mounted onto a fine Italian marble base, the other with a slight amethist tint.
Note: This was re-introduced onto the market in 2009 in clear & frosted and light Ocean Blue colour, one of each type boxed in stock, see: www.laliquemascots.com

*****Grenouille/Frog No.1146 3rd May 1928 (very rare), two here for sale one complete with its Breves Gallery lighting base. This is the actual one that was on the Antiques Roadshow a few years back. The other one in an original period box.

****Victoire/Victory Spirit of the Wind No.1147 18th April 1928 (quite scarce if un-damaged with full lenth of hair intact), one period example in stock. This has recently been re-introduced, see: http://www.laliquemascots.com

*****Longchamp/Horse (head) 'A' No.1152A 12th June 1929 (this the first version with a double mane and is very scarce as this was a very short production run). One here in stock in clear & satin grey hue.

***Longchamp/Horse (head) 'B' No.1152B 10th September 1929 (this is the second version with a single mane and is quite scarce), two examples available. This was re-introduced in 2011 and we have this in stock, boxed with certificate.

*****Epsom/Horse (head) No.1153 5th June 1929 (very rare)

**Sanglier/Wild Boer No.1157 3rd October 1929 good availability, one period example in grey tint in stock and two *post-war examples, plus one boxed (discontinued in 2006)

*Perche Poisson/Perch Fish No.1158 20th April 1929 (good availability), four in stock, ***one very rare opalescent butterscotch yelllow tinted period example, another rare blue tinted version available and **one post-war and *one modern example, discontinued in 2004.

****Vitesse/Goddess of Speed No.1160 17th September 1929 (very rare) with one example available in clear & frosted satin finish glass.
This model has recently been re-introduced, see: http://www.laliquemascots.com

****Coq Houdan/Proud Cock (Art Deco Cockerel) No.1161 30th April 1929 (quite scarce with two examples available)

***Pintade/Guinea Fowl No.1164 28th September 1929 (quite scarce with one example available)

*****Hibou/Owl No.1181 27th January 1931 (very rare)

******Renard/Fox No.1182 9th December 1930 (extreemly rare and desirable)

**Chrysis/Nude Female No.1183 21st March 1931 good availability, two period examples, one car **mascot and one a ***paperweight version (without the groove fitting of the above)

****Spirit d'Ecstacy/Spirit of Ecstacy, known throughout the world as The Flying Lady, created by the renowned Edwardian artist Charles Sykes for Rolls-Royce motors in 1911. This was produced in order to commemorate the 90th anniversary of this most prestigious marque. Moulded frosted crystal glass by the Lalique factory artistsans in a limited edition of two hundred pieces only for exclusive dealership and general distribution by the company Rapiditas engaged to market them under licence from Rolls-Royce Ltd. in 1994.
This is marked with the RR logo and RR021 on the base of the piece with engraved signiature 'Lalique France' together with the factory logo sticker. It comes with its certificate and all its relevant documents cpmplete in its fitted out grey Lalique box.

Another as above description (standard Rapiditas isssue) for general dealership issued for retail sales distribution.
****This is issue No.RR066 sold complete with all relevant documentation in its RR logo folder all in perfect condition.


****Cote d'Azure/Pulman Express Train 9th February 1929. Not a car mascot, but a commissioned trophy by R.Lalique for presentation to passengers on the inaugural run of the Pullman train. Has moulded presentation (along with above date) details on the base (Very rare), one available.

***Another identical to the above but produced to be used as a trophy desk piece without the presentation details. One here in stock.

***Toby the elephant No.1192 introduced in 1931 not a car mascot but a presse-papier or paperweight, most people think that this is a car mascot and it may be possible to mount it as such. We in fact have three of them in stock at this time, one is damaged and the other two are in perfect condition.

Note:-
****** Extreemly rare & desirable and almost impossible to locate today
***** Very rare & desirable and priced accordingly
**** Quite rare and expensive
*** Rare but available
** Getting harder to locate
* Quite common
The grading above is our own personal opinion based on dealer's and auction records. All are clear or frosted chrystal unless tinted/coloured versions are indicated. All are of the period/date stated, unless otherwise mentioned. Signiatures vary in style but as a rule period pieces are signed with an etching tool or wheel-cut and/or intaglio stamped/stencil stamped/moulded into the glass, a few somtimes having the catalogue number engraved as well, just before leaving the factory.
'R.Lalique France'. (up untill Rene Lalique's death in 1945, however the 'R' was still sometimes used on selected pieces for a short time afterwards)
Post-war and modern pieces are signed/etched/engraved/stencil stamped/moulded 'Lalique France', sometimes with a circled 'r' in between for 'registered'. Specialised reference books need to be consulted for details of these. Full details of these signiatures are shown within the descriptions on the price list.
'Available' means that the piece is known to us/has been offered to us and is on the market for sale. Our associates in France are in close contact with us, informing us of pieces when they become availalble.
Also note that accourding to the factory who infom us that very few period moulds still exsist and a few select pieces have been re-introduced by them where noted.
Please donot hesitate to consult us for advise and information about these wonderfully decorative investment pieces of art-glass. Our advice to you is to start collecting NOW! befor prices are out of reach. This is still 'early days' for you to build-up a good representative collection for pleasure and as an important investment portfolio. We will be happy to e-mail you the complete up-to-date price list showing the pieces that are available now on request.


NOTES:-

For (above) catalogue orders, price lists and detailed descriptions, please request this to be e-mailed to you.

Pour Commander les catalogues price-lists, merci de bien vouloir remlir et renoyer le bon contenu dans cette e-mail pour vous.

Bitte haupt-katalogbestellungen/price listen (oben) mittels beiliegendem Bestellformular per command wer schicken Sie pur e-mail.

Photographs of the whole range can be found on the Lalique Collectors' Club website at: http://www.brmmbrmm.com/lbcc.bb Then click onto 'photographs'. (we can also send you more photos from our archive)

Not all the car mascots produced by the Lalique factory were originaly intended for this purpose, as some were later adapted from statuetts for hood ornament display., some were made into pairs of bookends and mounted onto black marble bases. Today the few that are still produced as intended car mascots are now marketed as 'paperweights'.
The catalogue numbers (Cat.No.) used by The Lalique Company, where registered, refer to the 'Bible' of Lalique, the reference works by Felix Marcihac entitled:- 'Rene Lalique, Maitre de Verrier, 1860-1945, Analyse de L'oeuvre et Catalogue Raisonne'. And more recently the up-dated version, 'R.Lalique Catalogue Raisonne de L'oeuvre De Verre', of which most dealers and auction houses refer to.
The design numbers (Des.No.) quoted here are Lalique's own post-war design numbers. The reference numbers (Ref.No.) quoted here are found in:- 'Motoring Mascots of the World' by William C.Williams.

For interest in post-war and modern Lalique's, also for the full background history of Lalique, warning about reproductions etc. please log-onto
http://www.laliquemascots.com

We have a dedicated Facebook page - @Unique Lalique Mascots also
#Follow us on Twitter.



A free service to interested parties:-

We are able to e-mail photos to you of any of the above listed items, on request. Or if you wish we can send you our fully illustrated brochure through the mail/post to you, on recipte of your s.a.e. (stamped self addressed envelope). This brochure is based on that of the original Breves Galleries inter-war period item, however ours is in full colour.

We recommend that you have a look at The Lalique Mascot Collectors' Club website where the whole range are listed with photographs at: http://www.brmmbrmm.com/lbcc.bb

We are ALWAYS in the market to PURCHASE good quality LALIQUE MASCOTS and to this end please inform us if you have any for sale or exchanges etc. Please send photos to us in the first instance.


TERMS OF BUSINESS:-

Payment with your order please, by either personal cheque, Money Orders or Eurocheque, all of which must be made out in Pounds Sterling. We cannot accept personal cheques made out this way from overseas clients, who may pay either by direct debit or bank transfer of funds into our account (our account details will be supplied to you with invoice to pay for your chosen goods). We accept PayPal, American Express and Diners Club charge cards. All the above made out to: C.A.R.S. (U.K.) and our PayPal account is to: carsofbrighton@virginmedia.com

Collection or mail-order:-

You may arrange to either pick-up goods from our premises or at the shows that we attend. We are able to send to you safely, well bubble-wrapped and in a strong box, through the mail and fully insured.

Descriptions:-

ALL our pieces are guaranteed genuine period items and are sold with 'a recipte of purchase' to warranty this.
The details and descriptions of our goods are fair, accurate and honest to the best of our ability and comply with the Trade Decsciptions Act of which U.K. law applies.

Please note that we are a mail-order company and visitors to our premises are by prior appointment only and cctv is operating both inside & outside of our premises (the imagies are never used by any third party apart for the emergency services in exceptional circumstances).

We would be delighted to meet you at the events that we are attending and displaying at during the year, please go to http://www.brmmbrmm.com/lbcc.bb Then click onto 'events diary'.