René Lalique Victoire No. 1147 Car Mascot C. 1928

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 articles
René Lalique Art Deco Car Mascots
Makers and Retailers 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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