ANTIQUE 20thC FRENCH RENE' LALIQUE 'ARCHER' CAR MASCOT c.1926

A 20th Century finely detailed car mascot by René Lalique, depicting Heracles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Taken from Lalique’s original catalogue of hood ornaments, model number 1126, and mounted on a black pedestal base. Signed ‘R. Lalique’.

In Greek mythology, Heracles led a perilous life, undertaking numerous formidable tasks and triumphing each time through his immense strength. Frequently depicted in bronze and stone, often with his legendary bow and arrows that never missed, Heracles was perhaps most famously sculpted by Antoine Bourdelle.

In 1926, René Lalique reimagined the hero in glass, merging divine power with the material’s inherent fragility. The figure is shown as a muscular and confident archer, aiming into the oncoming airstream of the car.

This was Lalique’s sole mascot design of 1926. It would have been a fitting choice for owners of Pierce-Arrow automobiles, whose American manufacturer was already known for featuring an archer emblem. Such mascots served not only as a decorative feature and a nod to the marque’s identity but also as a statement of the owner’s wealth and refined taste.

Reference Number: A00052