Lalique (France) car mascots / radiator caps

Lalique glass is named after its founder, René Lalique, who was born in Ay, a small town in France in 1860. Lalique was a French glass designer and artist who is considered one of the most influential figures in the Art Nouveau movement. Lalique's fascination with glass started at a young age when he was apprenticed to a jeweller. He later went on to study at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and then worked for several leading Parisian jewellers.

In 1885, Rene Lalique opened his own jewellery workshop in Paris, where he began to experiment with glass. more... He developed a new style of glass that was more translucent and refractive than traditional glass, and he began to incorporate it into his jewelry designs. Lalique's jewellery quickly gained popularity, and he became known as one of the leading designers of the Art Nouveau movement.

In the early 1900s, Lalique expanded his work into glassware and decorative objects. He created vases, bowls, perfume bottles, and other objects that were adorned with intricate designs and patterns. Lalique was particularly interested in the relationship between light and glass, and he experimented with different techniques to create a unique look for his glassware. He was also known for his use of natural forms and motifs, such as flowers, animals, and insects.

Lalique's glassware was highly sought after and was collected by many wealthy patrons. His work was exhibited at major exhibitions, including the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900 and the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Lalique also worked with other artists of the time, including the famous Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha.

After Lalique's death in 1945, his son Marc Lalique took over the business and continued to produce Lalique glassware. Under Marc's leadership, the company expanded its product line to include crystal sculptures, chandeliers, and other decorative objects. Marc Lalique also collaborated with other artists, such as Salvador Dalí and Georges Braque.

Lalique continues to produce a wide range of glassware and decorative objects, all of which are handmade and crafted using traditional techniques. Lalique glass can be found in museums and private collections around the world and is considered as one of the most iconic examples of Art Nouveau glass design. less...

Rene Lalique introduced car mascots, marketed as Bouchons De Radiateur (radiator caps) to his product range about 1925, but production lasted for only 6 years, with demand choked by the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Followers of Lalique agree that there were about 30 different patterns produced, plus another 1 or 2 that were not marketed as car mascots, but could have served that purpose.

The rarest Lalique mascot is Renard (the fox) and in 2011 an example sold in Pennsylvania for in excess of $US200,000, which in turn was trumped the following year by the sale of a more... Renard in Carmel, California for $US338,500.

A full set of 30 Lalique car mascots was sold in March 2010 for $US805,000 (including buyers premium) at a classic car auction in Florida.

Lalique car mascots appeal to both glass collectors as well as classic car collectors, the latter being seen as a rich mans hobby, where participants must be well resourced to be able to afford anything of note, and this is one of the factors that can account for the high prices.

Lalique car mascots that have come onto the Australian auction market in recent years have sold in the range of $5,000 to $10,000. less...