Designed during the height of automotive luxury, this Art Deco glass sculpture by René Lalique is a masterclass in elegance and naturalism. Inspired by the artist’s childhood strolls along the River Marne, the iconic fish motif beautifully captures movement and life in shimmering crystal. Once designed to illuminate the hoods of elite vintage motorcars, this heavy crystal perch has evolved into a coveted decorative accent and timeless luxury paperweight.
Period: Post-war production, mid-20th century (Design origin c. 1929)
Country of Origin: France (Wingen-sur-Moder)
Artist/Maker/Manufacturer: Lalique
Marks/Signatures: Lalique France (etched on base)
Size Classification: Small
Dimensions: 6¼ inches x 2.6 inches x 4 inches
Weight: Approximately 1 lb. 3 oz.
Materials: Clear and frosted crystal.
Technique: Press-molded
Colors: Clear, Frosted
Style: Art Deco
Theme/Symbolism: Animals. The Perch (Perche) symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, resilience, and luxury.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Carefully preserved for decades in a protected environment, the crystal retains exceptional clarity and remains free of the amethyst discoloration sometimes found in older manganese-bearing glass after prolonged ultraviolet exposure.
From a private family collection.
Introduced around 1929, the Perche was one of René Lalique's distinctive radiator mascots, designed for the luxury automobiles of the Art Deco era. It was marketed in Britain through Breves of Knightsbridge, London, and in the United States by Nil Melior of New York. The model also appeared in the 1932 Lalique catalogue and remained available until approximately 1937, after which mascot production ceased with the onset of World War II.
Following René Lalique's death in 1945, production resumed under the direction of his son, Marc Lalique, who continued manufacturing many of the firm's classic designs using original molds preserved from the pre-war period. This example is an early post-war edition, displaying the exceptional clarity, crisp detail, and craftsmanship that have made Lalique crystal renowned among collectors worldwide.
