Model No: 1146 Grenouille. Created May 1928
Small and full of humour, the frog personifies different things to different cultures. But it is more certain that René LALIQUE, after having created the 5 Horses for André Citroën, wanted to also nod to the little Opel, nicknamed “The Frog" and which arrived from across the Rhine, shortly after the manufacture of the Citroën Torpedos. Still proud and perfectly formed and with a hint of mischief.
Height: 6.6cm
Clear (white) glass press molded
Molded LALIQUE behind right leg and FRANCE behind the left leg.
Price (1932 Lalique et Cie Catalogue): 275FF. Lalique listed a colour version in the catalogue at 275FF and Marcilhac notes opalescent and colour versions but none are known to exist aside from amethyst tinted examples (and no period photographs exist).
Breves of Knightsbridge, London UK titled this model ’Frog’ and listed a price of £2/12/6 ‘unilluminated' or £3/13/6 ‘for light’ using the patented Breves illuminated mount. A bulb was 3/s and Duty was 10/6. This was the least expensive hood ornament along with the Hawk’s Head and Boar (Sanglier) but is much rarer to find today. There was no pricing for a coloured version (see 1932 Catalogue note above).
Nil Melior, a prominent auto accessories company whose showrooms were located at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, listed the Grenouille for $30 including a chromium plated base.
Other names for this mascot - Grenouille, Frog. Mascotte, Hood Ornament, Car Mascot, Bouchon de Radiateur, Radiator Cap.
Appeared in 1932 Lalique Catalogue. Removed from 1937 Catalogue but continued as a paperweight (presse-papiers) at this time.
No known reissue in crystal post 1947, not marketed today.