Model No: 1145 Grande Libellule. Created May 1928
Master of Art Nouveau glassware, Emile GALLE said of René LALIQUE that he was "the inventor of modern jewellery". Indeed, Lalique represented this insect on many occasions in his jewels, giving free rein to his imagination from which emerged the sublime and brilliant pieces that we know. It was a favourite motif both in Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements.
Taking up one of the favourite themes of his Art Nouveau period, Lalique updates it for his Art Deco period. It was therefore in April and May 1928 that he created two lovely dragonflies; one with folded wings and the other with open wings as seen here. Elegantly poised and ready for flight and spectacular when the veins are illuminated.
Height: 21cm
Clear (white) glass press molded
Price (1932 Lalique et Cie Catalogue): 385FF
Breves of Knightsbridge, London UK titled this model ’The Dragon Fly (open wings)’ or ‘Dragonfly (large)’ and listed a price of £5/5/0 ‘unilluminated' or £6/6/0 ‘for light’ using the patented Breves illuminated mount. A bulb was 3/s and Duty was 15/s.
Nil Melior, a prominent auto accessories company whose showrooms were located at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, listed this mascot as "Libellule (Firefly)" for $50 including a chromium plated base. In a different catalogue it was listed simply as "Libellule" at $55 with an illuminated base $10 additional.
Other names for this mascot - Libellule Grande, Grande Libellule, Libellule (grande), The Dragon Fly, Dragonfly, Large Dragonfly, Dragonfly (large), Firefly, Libellule (Firefly), Libellule. Mascotte, Hood Ornament, Car Mascot, Bouchon de Radiateur, Radiator Cap.
Appeared in 1932 Lalique Catalogue. Removed from 1937 Catalogue though continued as a paperweight (presse-papiers) at this time.
In 2008 Lalique SA reissued this model in clear crystal and tinted ocean blue colour versions. Easily distinguished from the original pre-1945 version and without the molded ‘R. Lalique’ and ‘France’ and engraved signature. Not marketed today.
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