Rene Lalique Vitesse Mascot SOLD REF:- 500209 Encyclopaedia : Rene Lalique

Height: 20.5 cm (8") Width: 7 cm (2 3/4") Depth: 12.5 cm (4 1/1")

Short Description

Rene Lalique Car Mascot of the beautiful Vitesse (speed goddess) in a silky satin finish. Moulded 'R. Lalique' 'France' around the base. Model Number: #1160

Master glassmaker René Lalique (1860-1945) created his stunning car mascot (bouchons de radiateur) designs between 1925 and 1931. Their production ceased in 1940, a year after WWII had begun. René's factory, Verrerie d'Alsace, in Wingen-sur-Mode was forced to close following German occupation of the Alsace region. René sadly passed away in May 1945, so did not live to see the end of the war, nor the subsequent re-opening of the factory by his son Marc. Marc resumed production of his father's famous mascot designs using the original steel moulds which had 1 the fortune of being preserved, in Markspite Goodger of the Antiqueswar. These +44 (0) post-war 1604 863 979productions, however, were sold as

https://markgoodger.co.uk/rene-lalique-vitesse 01/10/2021 paperweights and desk accessories. From the late 1800s, motor car production, design and technology quickly gathered pace. The invention of the Internal Combustion Engine was to transform motoring forever. A more reliable and user-friendly engine, it required cooling to eliminate overheating; this was achieved via a radiator topped with a cap, its visible to the front of the car. Initially caps were just caps! Simply a plain, functional component of the car radiator. But as motoring evolved into a more glamorous affair, the car became the ultimate status symbol, with owners desiring more options for decoration and personalisation, fuelling demand for a car mascot, or . The first known car mascot is believed to have been the brainchild of John Douglas-Scott Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, British politician, and motoring enthusiast. Around 1899 he commissioned the sculptor Charles Sykes to create a bronze figure of St Christopher for display on his 12HP Daimler. Sykes later became famous for designing Lord Montagu's further commission in 1909 of the iconic and widely known Spirit of Ecstasy mascot for his Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. The radiator cap was an ideal medium for artistic and decorative development and manufacturers were turning this little object into a much sought-after accessory in its own right. Starting with being topped with manufacturers' emblems and logos, they evolved into more elaborate designs, the demand driven by the more wealthy car owner with a desire to show off their status, affluence and individual style. Catching on to the trend, René Lalique embarked on his creation of beautiful glass mascots, epitomising the style and grace of this exciting era. With a passion for the female form, flora and fauna, his designs came in various finishes, including clear, frosted, opalescent or coloured glass. His first official car mascot design, produced in August 1925, was the 'Cing Chevaux' (Five Horses), commissioned by motoring magnate André Citroën. This was possibly to celebrate André's new installation of the imposing and spectacularly illuminated Citroën emblem on the Eiffel Tower. Or perhaps to promote the renaming of his Type C '5HP' car (Horsepower) to '5CV' (Cheval Vapeur), following the change in calculation of taxable engine power in France. To meet the demands of a fast-expanding market, Lalique commissioned the Breves Gallery in London to develop a purpose-built mascot mount for - a very challenging task due to the delicate nature of René's beautiful creations. Comprising metal collars and a rubber washer, the mounts also had various 'upgrade' options. There was the option to illuminate your mascot, achieved by using a mount incorporating a bulb and plug that could be connected directly to the car wiring, or battery operated. Coloured illumination could also be selected, the effect 2 created by use of a thick plastic filter,Mark sold Goodger in a Antiques variety +44 of colours.(0) 1604 863 But 979 perhaps the most exciting and

https://markgoodger.co.uk/rene-lalique-vitesse 01/10/2021 innovative option was speed-variable illumination …. achieved via a dynamo-fitted mount - your mascot would glow brighter the faster you drove! The demise of the glass car mascot occurred following newly imposed safety restrictions in the late 1940s. Huge transformations in car design in the 1950s eventually brought the fashion for all types of car mascot to an end. We are extremely proud to present this collection of René Lalique's beautiful mascots which embody the style and glamour of what was undoubtedly motoring's most exciting era. Today they are works of art in their own right, stunning, decorative accessories as well as a worthwhile investment.

Antique Accessories hand-picked for you by Mark Goodger Antiques..... for decoration or function. The Accessories, like all the antiques on our website, have been hand-picked by Mark and his discerning eye.... giving you the reassurance of quality and sheer loveliness! Most of the accessories are functional, there by possessing real value and the promise of being handed down and used by future generations. As such, our lovely range of Antique Accessories make beautiful gifts. There is something here for everyone.... Accessories for men and women. Accessories for the games lover. Accessories to adorn a desk or dining room.

More Information

Period Art Deco

Year Circa 1929

Medium Glass

Country France

Signed Rene Lalique

Literature Felix Marcilhac

BADA, LAPADA, ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE, BLENHIEM Exhibitions PALACE CADA, OLYMPIA LONDON

Collections MARK GOODGER

3 Mark Goodger Antiques +44 (0) 1604 863 979

https://markgoodger.co.uk/rene-lalique-vitesse 01/10/2021