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 d'Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans)

Lalique mascots brought to you by the company of C.A.R.S. ( Classic Automobilia & Regalia Specialists )


Summer 2008

We bring to you the wonderfull artwork of Lalique. A name synonimous throughout the art world with exsquisite 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 themselvs 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 styalised animal and bird representations in crystal glass.

Altogether there were officialy twenty seven different types, but well over thirty if you include Naiade (large mermaid, first produced in 1920 as an 'ornament' then adapted as a car mascot in 1925), a special commission of a running greyhound from H.R.H.Prince George of England (in 1931), and recent Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstacy (in 1994) along with the re-introductions by (Son) Marc Lalique and (Grandaughter ) Marie-Claude Lalique in 1949, types which now include the Peacocks head (in 2006).
These exquisite sculptures inspired by naturallism, 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 influences of that period.

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

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".

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, Voison, Delahaye, Delage, Dusenberg & Cord etc.............in fact the world's most prestiges automobiles of the era!



LALIQUE CAR MASCOT COLLECTION (using Lalique's own catalogue numbers in order of date of introduction of the item. Also remarks regards realistic availability and rareity. All were produced during the inter-war period unless stated otherwise along with the year of discontinuation):-

Sirene/Small Mermaid 831 introduced in 1920 as a statue desk ornament and then adapted as a car mascot in 1925 (quite scarce, one in stock and one grey tinted version available)

Naiade/Large Mermaid 832 ditto as above (very rare, one in stock)

Cinque Chevaux/ Five Horses 1122 introduced on 26th August 1925 (quite scarce, one in stock, another available with non-period metal base)

Comete/Comet 1123 24th August 1925 (extreemly rare and desirable)

Fauchon/Falcon 1124 5th August 1925 (getting harder to find with an un-damaged vunarable beak, one in stock with amethyst tint, another in plain clear chrystal available)

Tireur d'arc/Archer 1126 3rd August 1926 (getting harder to find good examples, one in stock)

Coq Nain/Cockeral 1135 10th Febuary 1928 (fairly plentifull, one in stock, another 1960's version available with 'Lalique Cristal' original gold label. One extreemly desirable example in deep green tinted colour by R.Lalique available)

Tete de Belier/Rams Head 1136 3rd Febuary 1928 (quite scare, one available grey tinted)

Tete de Coq/Cocks Head 1137 3rd Febuary 1928 (fairly plentifull, one post-war and one modern version in stock, discontinued in 2007)

Tete de Aigle/Eagles Head 1138 14th March 1928 (getting scarce, one period piece, one post-war and another modern version in stock)

Tete d'Epervier/Falcons Head 1139 21st January 1928 (quite rare)

Tete de Peon/Peacocks Head 1140 3rd Febuary 1928 (period examples are quite rare, one period example and one modern example which was re-introduced in 2006, in stock)

Levrier/Greyhound 1141 14th March 1928 (quite scarce, one available with slight bruise to edge)

Saint-Christophe/St.Christopher 1142 1st Mach 1928 (not difficult to locate at this time, two available from stock)

Hirondelle/Swallow 1143 10th Febuary 1928 (quite scarce, one period piece on Breves Gallery base mount for mounting on the radiator cap, available and one modern version in stock)

Petite Libellue/Small Dragonfly 1144 12th April 1928 (quite scarce, one period example in stock)

Grand Libellue/Large Dragonfly 1145 23rd May 1928 (quite scarce, one period example in stock and one badly damaged example available having its tail broken and therefor shortened, also damage to tops of wings which have been ground to smooth. Rare light purple coloured example with a Breves Gallery style radiator chromed metal lighting mount £595. Compared to £7,000 - £8,000 for a perfect one! )

Grenouille/Frog 1146 3rd May 1928 (very rare, one on offer to us)

Victoire/Victory 1147 18th April 1928 (quite scarce if un-damaged with full lenth of hair intact, one period example in stock)

Longchamp/Horse 'A' 1152A 12th June 1929 (this the first version is very scarce)

Longchamp/Horse 'B' 1152B 10th September 1929 (this is the second version and is quite scarce, one example available)

Epsom/Horse 1153 5th June 1929 (very rare)

Sanglier/Wild Boer 1157 3rd October 1929 (good availability, one period example in grey tint in stock and one post-war example, discontinued in 2006)

Perche/Perch Fish 1158 20th April 1929 (good availability, three in stock, one very rare opalescent yelllow tinted period example, another rare blue tinted version available and one post-war and one modern example, discontinued in 2006)

Vitesse/Speed 1160 17th September 1929 (very rare with one example available)

Coq Houdan/Art Deco Cockeral 1161 30th April 1929 (quite scarce with one example available)

Pintade/Guinea Fowl 1164 28th September 1929 (quite scarce with one example available)

Hibou/Owl 1181 27th January 1931 (very rare)

Renard/Fox 1182 9th December 1930 (extreemly rare and desirable)

Chrysis/Nude Female 1183 21st March 1931 (good availability, three available, one period example, one 1960's and one modern version)

Cote d'Azure/Pulman Express Train 9th Febuary 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 without the presentation details as (a proposed) adopted as a car mascot (one available, quite scarce)

Note:-

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 befor 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 some 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.
'Available' means that the piece is known to us/has been offered to us and is on the market for sale. 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.


LALIQUE CAR MASCOTS COLLECTION (for sale):-

"Chrysis"/ "Nude Lady" Cat.No.1183, superb representation leaning backwards with long flowing hair in the wind. Created and introduced on 21st March 1931, in clear & frosted chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with original silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £325 Also a silk black version at £395

As above in Ambre/Amber tint finish Des.No.1180920. £450

"Coq Nain"/ "Rooster" Cat.No.1135, this large fan-tailed Rooster was created and introduced on 10th Febuary, 1928, in clear & frosted crystal glass, with engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its original silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £395

"Tete de Coq"/ "Roosters Head" Cat.No.1137, this very impressive Roosters head supporting its large fan of feathers,with piercing eyes! Created and introduced on 3rd Febuary 1928, in clear and frosted chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its original silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £550

"Sanglier"/ "Wild Boer" Cat.No.1157, created and introduced on 3rd October 1929, in clear moulded crystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £395

Another period example in rare grey tint colour variation £1,500

"Stauette Leda"/ "Leda with the Swan" Des.No.1190500, created in 1931 produced in frosted crystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £220

As above in grey frosted tint 1960's version (not boxed) £350

"Statuette Diane"/ "Goddess Diane" Des.No.1190700, created in 1935 in frosted crystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £220

"Statuette Faune"/ "Woodland Nimph" Des.No.1191599, created in 1935 by Marie-Claude Lalique,in clear crystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £255

"Statuette Josephine age d'jaz, Le Dance"/ "Josephine Jaz Age Dancer", created in 1938 by Marie-Claude Lalique, in frosted crystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its silver-grey box with certificate/paperwork. £240

"Hirondelle"/ "Swallow" Cat.No.1143, created and introduced on 10th March 1928, in clear and frosted chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its dark grey box with certificate/paperwork. £395

"Tete D'Aigle"/ "Eagles Head" Cat.No.1138, created and introduced on 14th May 1928. Superb aggresive looking bird of prey, reputed to have been used by the German high command on their staff cars to impress the Nazi regime! Moulded in clear and frosted chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its dark grey box with certificate/paperwork. £550

"Perche"/ "Perch" Cat.No.1158, created and introduced on 20th April 1929. Superb representation of scales & fins to this fish, moulded in clear chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete with its dark grey box with certificate/paperwork. £395

As above a c.1960's example in rare opalescent light blue. A superb piece of work! £950

*"Deaux danseuses"/ "Two Dancers" Ref.No.488, created and introduced during the early 1970's by Marie Claude Lalique. This pair of male & female figures are intertwined in dance. Moulded in frosted chrystal glass, with moulded signiature 'Lalique, France' to bottom of circular base (un-boxed). £950 Note: We have noticed a very minor fault to the underneath of the base of this piece and have now reduced it down to £750

"Tete de Paon"/ "Peacock's Head" Cat.No.1140, created and introduced on 3rd Febuary 1928. Impressive birds head, intensly looking to its rear with piercing eyes! Moulded in opalesent chrystal glass, engraved signiature 'Lalique, France'. Complete in its light grey box with certificate/paperwork. £450

Others (as above) in limited edition colours, available to order in tinted pale green, pale yellow and intense purple at £500 each. Please ask to see the photos of these impressive shades.

*"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 moulded frosted crystal glass by the Lalique factory artists in a limited edition of two hundred pieces only for exclusive dealership distribution, 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 (all seen through the open base). Complete on its English silver hallmarked base / stand, engraved 'Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited-094' together with 'Copywrite Rapiditas Editons Limited'. Price on application.

*"Faucon"/ "Falcon" Cat.No.1124, created and introduced on 5th August 1925, a beautifull bird with a slight hint of amethyst colour applied in production by the Lalique artists at the factory. Moulded 'R.Lalique' signiature along with wheel-cut 'France' to base. Slight chip to beak (as usual with this model) also slight chip beneath a wing (un-seen unless rubbed). Otherwise a fine and rare piece in this colour. £1,250

*"Saint-Christophe"/ "St.Christopher" Cat.No.1142, created and introduced on 1st March, 1928. Shows the huntched & kneeling saint with the weight of the boy-child Christ on his shoulders, with a styalised sunray circular form. Intaglio
moulded 'R.Lalique, France'. £975

*"Siren"/ "Mermaid" (the small version as there were two similar designs) Cat.No.831, created and introduced in 1920 as an ornament at first and re-introduced in 1925 (exact dates not known at this time, still reserching records) as a car mascot. This opalescent blue tinted female with entwined fish tail covering her nude body as she stands on a rocky base. (Chip to bottom of base not affecting the figure at all, in fact a well-known London dealer has the same one in this rare colour and with signs of slight polishing on sale for £2,800). Intaglio moulded 'R.Lalique, France'. £1,250

Another as above in this rare colour of opalescent blue in perfect condition. Intaglio moulded 'R.Lalique, France'. £3,500

*"Cinq Cheveaux"/ "Five Horses" Cat.No.1122, created and introduced on 26th August 1925, as the very first purpose made car mascot for a specific car, being the Citroen 5CV. Moulded frosted crystal glass with moulded signiature 'R.Lalique', along with wheel-cut 'France' to the hind leg of the leading horse. Some damage by the way of small chips to the circular base, as to be expected when these are removed from their metal radiator mounts. Complete with period white metal mounting base.
A superb image reflecting the Art Deco style of this period. £9,950

*"Victoire"/ "Victory" Cat.No.1147, also known as "The Spirit of the Wind". Created and introduced on 18th April 1928. Has a satin finish to the grey tinted head, which graduates to clear crystal glass forming the streaming hair. With moulded signiature 'R.Lalique' with 'France' to the base. Has correct full lenth of hair with minor re-polishing to tip, being 25.5cm long. A superb sculpture and art form in its own right reflecting all that was typical of the Art deco movement.
Note: this is only the second example we have had since dealing in Lalique. Price on application.




NOTES:-

Photographs of the whole range can be found on the Lalique Collectors' Club website at: www.brmmbrmm.com/lbcc.bb

Not all the car mascots produced by the Lalique factory were originaly intended for this purpose, as some were later adapted 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.

We carry a small selection of boxes for modern Lalique's, please enquire.

We do not reccomend these to be used on actual vehicles today, as they would violate most exsisting international laws regards potruding bonnet emblems, as in the case of mascots/hood ornaments etc. Except in certain circumstances as motor shows, exibitions, static car displays and Concours d'Elegance etc. All of which are off public roads.
We market and sell these as display pieces only and as sutch are sold as modern 'paperweights'/ 'presse-papiers'., apart from the original period pieces which are now collector's items marked thus*on the above listings.

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


Art Deco period figures:-

We offer a small collection of Art Deco period 1920's to late 1930's, genuine sculptured figures mainly produced in cast spelter, gilded, some painted and with ivorine features applied. These are very reasonably priced as they are not the top quality names of the period., i.e.Preiss or Chiparus. Details and prices on application.



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 photo/s through the mail/post to you, on recipte of your s.a.e. (stamped self addressed envelope). We recommend that you have a look at The Lalique Mascot Collectors' Club website where the whole range are listed with photographs at: 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 accepte 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 American Express and Diners Club charge cards. All the above made out to C.A.R.S.(U.K.)

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:-

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. We would be delighted to meet you at the events that we are attending and displaying at:- www.carsofbrighton.co.uk #look for this hash, as this indicates the events that we have a display stand at (After you have loged-on scroll down the page untill you come to the events listings)