Designed during the golden age of automotive luxury, this Sanglier Bouchon de Radiateur by René Lalique is a stunning Art Deco glass sculpture. Originally meant to serve as an illuminated hood ornament on elite vintage motorcars, this heavy crystal wild boar has gracefully transitioned into a highly sought-after decorative object and 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: 3 1/2 inches x 2 5/8 inches x 2 3/8 inches
Weight: Approximately 9 oz.
Materials: Clear and frosted crystal.
Technique: Press-molded
Colors: Clear, Frosted
Style: Art Deco
Theme/Symbolism: Animals. The wild boar (Sanglier) symbolizes strength, courage, 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 Sanglier 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.
