René Lalique Tête De Paon No. 1140 Car Mascot Circa 1928

Description

This René Lalique car mascot Tête De Paon No. 1140, dating to circa 1928, is modelled as the head of a peacock and produced as part of René Lalique’s original series of luxury automotive mascots.

The design captures the distinctive profile of the peacock, with the head and crest forming the sculptural outline intended to sit prominently upon the radiator of a motor car. The mascot is signed with the moulded R. Lalique mark to the lower section, with France moulded within the groove around the base.

Introduced as model number #1140, Tête De Paon was created by René Jules Lalique for the luxury motor car market during the late 1920s, when radiator mascots became an important expression of individuality and status.

Originally intended to be mounted upon a radiator cap, the mascot could be illuminated from beneath, allowing light to pass through the glass and emphasise the form during evening motoring.

The mascot remains in perfect condition, with no damage or restoration.

See the full Rene Lalique Car Mascots collection.

Literature

Félix Marcilhac book René Lalique maître-verrier Page 500

Who was René Lalique (1860-1945)?
Master of French Glass, Art Deco Sculpture and Luxury Car Mascots

René Jules Lalique was one of the most influential designers of the late 19th and early 20th century, celebrated for his pioneering work in Art Nouveau jewellery and later for his groundbreaking Art Deco glass creations. Trained in Paris and London, Lalique designed for leading houses such as Cartier and Boucheron before establishing his own studio, where he transformed the world of decorative arts with his use of glass, enamel, horn and sculptural forms inspired by nature and Japanese design.

By the 1920s, Lalique had become internationally renowned for his glasswork, moving beyond perfume bottles and vases to design what would become some of the most coveted symbols of early automotive luxury, his car mascots (radiator hood ornaments). Produced between 1925 and 1931, these mascots, including iconic models such as Victoire, Tête de Coq, Chrysis, Comète and Longchamp, were designed as sculptural glass figures mounted on the radiators of prestige automobiles such as Delage, Hispano-Suiza, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. These mascots were made in pressed crystal and illuminated from beneath giving them an ethereal glow, a true fusion of fine art and motoring history. Lalique’s legacy was continued by his son Marc Lalique, who transitioned the company from glass to crystal production, securing Lalique’s place as a leading name in French luxury manufacturing. His works are now held in major museum collections worldwide including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the Corning Museum of Glass and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

For collectors, a Lalique piece whether a glass mascot, vase or sculptural object represents more than decorative art. It embodies the golden age of French luxury design, where craftsmanship, innovation and modern engineering met in perfect harmony.

For further information on René Lalique and his famous Car Mascots please see our article on René Lalique Art Deco Car Mascots and our makers and retailers profile on René Lalique

René Lalique car mascots remain one of the most studied areas of Art Deco glass design, with original period examples held in major museum collections and long established private collections worldwide. Authentic mascots retaining correct mounts, signatures and surface finish are increasingly sought after by collectors of early motoring and Lalique glass.

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