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A mysterious flying (hood) ornament

Another decorative (hood) ornament we have not seen before. In the first instance, the wings reminded us a little bit of a Dragonfly or Damselfly. But if you look more closely you see eye spots on the wings – this leads us in the direction of a butterfly. The other thing we noticed is the headgear.

Leslie Nugent sent us the pictures of this friendly-looking piece of art. He has been told it is most likely to make a mould for a hood ornament. On the back, there is an inscription which reads M A (I ?) (L?). The last two(?) letters largely faded.

Is there someone who can help us with the identification of this mysterious flying (hood) ornament and maybe tell us more about it?

 

Pubblicato:
lunedì maggio 18th, 2020
SM
21 Maggio 2020, 01:59
there she is...
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Matthias Dressler
20 Maggio 2020, 23:07
May I add the original photo from the french sales catalogue (1931!)
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Tony Pym
18 Maggio 2020, 17:47
Likely this a pattern for making a mould. The finished mascot is more detailed.

It was called 'Lutin' in French and 'Butterfly Girl' in English, though I prefer the translation that she is a ‘fairy’ (or ‘faerie’ in old English) or a ‘woodland sprite’.

The mascot was designed by the sculptor Charles Maillard and signed Ch Maillard – hence you are seeing only the first few letters of his name. He was French and known for working with both bronze and ceramic, mainly from his studio in Paris. He produced important war memorials and busts of noted statesmen etc but I know only of this one car mascot by him (but others may well know of more). It was introduced early 1920’s and the one I have seen was probably nickel-plated bronze (being worn it might have been silvered bronze). Photo attached of finished mascot….
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Matthias Dressler
20 Maggio 2020, 23:09
@Tony Pym: this was a quite fast and well researched answer! There are not many people with that special knowledge!..Would be interested to get in touch with other mascot collectors.

Matt from Stuttgart, Germany
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Arnoud van der Sman
18 Maggio 2020, 16:31
She is called Lutin
Signed name should be Maillard
she is French
period 1920-1925
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henri lalanne
18 Maggio 2020, 15:43
C'est surement un accessoire vendu par Malicet et Blin (MAF)
Henri Lalanne
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