Model No: 1138 Tete d'Aigle. Created March 1928
The Eagle, bird of prey, royal bird, used by all the conquerors as an emblem of their power, was magnified in 1928 by René LALIQUE, until it seemed to be, by its expressiveness, its dignity, its serenity, its power and its dominating gaze, the personification of a Greek God.
Mascots representing an eagle were very widespread, in particular on the Voisin, Alvis, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Bianchi and the French Chenard-Walcker cars.
This was an enduring design and image, both impressionist, expressive and bold; transcending time and styles.
Height: 10.7cm
Clear (white) glass press molded
Price (1932 Lalique et Cie Catalogue): 400FF
Breves of Knightsbridge, London UK titled this model ’The Eagle’s Head’ and listed a priced 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 the Tete D'Aigle for $22.50 including a chromium plated base, illuminated for an additional $2.50. In a different catalogue it was listed as Tete D'Aigle also at $22.50 with the illuminated base $10 additional.
Other names for this mascot - Tete d’Aigle, Eagle’s Head, The Eagle’s Head, Eagle Head. Mascotte, Hood Ornament, Car Mascot, Bouchon de Radiateur, Radiator Cap.
Appeared in 1928 and 1932 Lalique Catalogue. Removed from 1937 Catalogue (though available as book-ends at this time and continued as a paperweight).
Reissued in crystal post 1947 as a paperweight and again in 1951 in clear crystal, later without the molded R. Lalique and France signature. A very close copy was manufactured in period by the Persons-Majestic Company in the USA.
No longer marketed today.