Model No: 1152 B Longchamp. Created September 1929
Symbol of the Greek and more particularly Athenian aristocracy, the horse is represented in art and sculpture everywhere. It appears on the friezes of the Parthenon and decorates the Metopes of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
René LALIQUE was inspired by this to create, in 1929, two horses dedicated to the two most elegant races and tracks of the time, “The Epsom Derby" of Surrey in England and "Longchamp", name of the racetrack in Paris running the coveted "Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe”.
René LALIQUE created another Longchamp mascot with a double mane and under the same catalogue number which was replaced by this single mane version after just 3 months in production.
Both were titled "Longchamps" in the 1932 Catalogue but almost always appear as "Longchamp", either A or B version, elsewhere.
This second (and definitive) single mane version was simpler both in terms of design and ease of manufacture and mounting to a mascot base. This model also subtly incorporates a halter in the design, keeping the horse in check, in contrast to the speeding and straining Epsom released around the same time.
Length: 15.5cm
Clear (white) glass press molded
Price (1932 Lalique et Cie Catalogue): 350FF
Breves of Knightsbridge, London UK did not list this model in their Car Mascots leaflets or material along with the Longchamp A and Epsom horse head designs (though Epsom did appear in some later sales listings as ’Troy’). No reason is known other than to speculate it was related to the difficulties in mounting these designs to the Breves mount (a groove had to be cut in Longchamp A and Epsom) and also the economic climate and fading fashion for car mascots. Though you might have expected this subject matter to be especially popular in both the UK and France.
Nil Melior, a prominent auto accessories company whose showrooms were located at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, listed the mascot as "Tete de Cheval" for $22.50 including a chromium plated base, illuminated for an additional $2.50. In a different catalogue it was listed as "Tete de Cheval Longchamp B" also at $22.50 with the illuminated base $5 additional.
Other names for this mascot - Longchamps, Longchamp, Longchamp B, Horse Head Single Mane, Longchamp Single Mane, Tete de Cheval. Mascotte, Hood Ornament, Car Mascot, Bouchon de Radiateur, Radiator Cap.
Appeared in 1932 Lalique Catalogue. Removed from 1937 Catalogue (though available as book-ends at this time and continued as a paperweight).
No known reissue post 1947. In mid 2000s Lalique SA reissued this model in clear crystal. Easily distinguished from the original pre-1945 version with different base treatment and without the molded ‘R. Lalique’ and ‘France’ signature. The clear crystal version continues today. There are also many contemporary and modern copies and fakes. In particular in period a very close copy was made by the Persons-Majestic Company in the USA.