Rene Lalique used some particular chemicals to develop and experiment with glass to achieve the superb colours, some of which are in fact opalescent, some are just tinted and some have a hint of a grayish hue. Most were achieved by him experimenting with (dangerous and forbidden now) chemicals, most are a secret but arsenic, mercury and various other toxic ones were used. He could achive for instance a beutiful opalecent milky blue and when you hold the pieceup to the light you would see a golden orange colour tinting inside the piece, as for example the Vitesse and also the Hawks head in this rare colour combination.
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The colours used now days are of course not hazardous to health. As to fakes or reproductions,like everything in the art world of value they are produced mainly be Eastern European countries and maybe India as well. The definition and the quality of glass is very poor and so nothing to worry about. Lalique themselves have in recent years re-introduced some of the former car mascots as paperweights, namely the Peacocks head (beautiful in rich cobalt blue) also in a clear & frosted finish, Vitesse & Victorie and last year Longchamp the horse head. The glass used now days is of a light more sparkling colour of Crystal, rather than the more silky smooth and rich textured glass of greater purity produced during the inter-war period known as the Art Deco era.
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Geoffrey Weiner
Lalique Mascot Collectors Club
Posted in: Uncategorized
GG Weiner Lalique Mascot Collectors' Club
August 16, 2012
Lalique mascots on show at the Internatiomnal Beaulieu Autojumble in September, we are in the Grand Marquee, look for the Lalique Club stand & say ‘Hello’!