Search
- Lalique "Petite Libellule" Dragonfly Hood Ornament, circa 1928 - Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.

- circa 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Lalique "Petite Libellule" Dragonfly Hood Ornament, circa 1928
Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.
- Moore Motor Semaphore Motometer, circa 1925 - Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Chicago's Semaphoric Indicator Company produced this motometer intended for vehicles made by Buick, a division of the General Motors Corporation.

- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Moore Motor Semaphore Motometer, circa 1925
Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Chicago's Semaphoric Indicator Company produced this motometer intended for vehicles made by Buick, a division of the General Motors Corporation.
- Standard Motometer, circa 1925 - Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.

- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Standard Motometer, circa 1925
Automobiles often came without temperature gauges before the early 1930s, so enterprising manufacturers sold aftermarket motometers. Mounted on a car's radiator, these devices measured and displayed coolant water vapor temperature, notifying drivers if their automobiles were in danger of overheating. Moto-Meter Co. Inc. dominated the American market, producing the popular Boyce motometer and others featuring an automotive manufacturer's name or logo.
- Lalique "Vitesse" Hood Ornament, circa 1929 - Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.

- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Lalique "Vitesse" Hood Ornament, circa 1929
Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.
- 1957 Cadillac Hood Ornament Design Drawing by Robert J. Scheelk, May 1955 - Designer Bob Scheelk played a key role in establishing Cadillac's look in the late 1950s. His credits include contributions to the exterior styling of the company's top-of-the-line 1957 Eldorado Brougham, and interior design work on Cadillac's decade-defining 1959 Eldorados. These drawings, made by Scheelk, show several of his styling cues that were adopted -- and some that weren't.

- May 13, 1955
- Collections - Artifact
1957 Cadillac Hood Ornament Design Drawing by Robert J. Scheelk, May 1955
Designer Bob Scheelk played a key role in establishing Cadillac's look in the late 1950s. His credits include contributions to the exterior styling of the company's top-of-the-line 1957 Eldorado Brougham, and interior design work on Cadillac's decade-defining 1959 Eldorados. These drawings, made by Scheelk, show several of his styling cues that were adopted -- and some that weren't.
- Lalique "Perche" Hood Ornament, circa 1929 - Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.

- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Lalique "Perche" Hood Ornament, circa 1929
Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.
- Lalique "Victoire" Hood Ornament, 1928-1930 - Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.

- 1928-1930
- Collections - Artifact
Lalique "Victoire" Hood Ornament, 1928-1930
Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.
- Lalique "Faucon" Falcon Hood Ornament, 1925-1935 - Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.

- 1925-1935
- Collections - Artifact
Lalique "Faucon" Falcon Hood Ornament, 1925-1935
Rene Lalique created some of the most striking automobile mascots or hood ornaments. Lalique's elegant, molded-glass models enhanced the front of any luxury vehicle. The mascots could also be lit from below making them all the more impressive. These decorative mascots became a symbol of the car owner's wealth, status, and good taste.
- "Victory" Dancing Figure Hood Ornament, 1916-1920 - Decorative aftermarket hood ornaments or mascots came in a wide variety of styles and prices in the early 20th century. Any car owner with some extra cash could personalize their vehicle. This dancing "Victory" mascot appealed to patriotic Americans who supported the country's war effort during World War I.

- 1916-1920
- Collections - Artifact
"Victory" Dancing Figure Hood Ornament, 1916-1920
Decorative aftermarket hood ornaments or mascots came in a wide variety of styles and prices in the early 20th century. Any car owner with some extra cash could personalize their vehicle. This dancing "Victory" mascot appealed to patriotic Americans who supported the country's war effort during World War I.
- Pierce-Arrow Archer Hood Ornament, 1931-1938 - Many early 20th century luxury automobile manufacturers outfitted their vehicles with hood ornaments or mascots. These decorative mascots were not only an advertisement for the company, but were also a symbol of the car owner's wealth and good taste. It seems appropriate that American car manufacturer Pierce-Arrow affixed an archer to the fronts of its models.

- 1931-1938
- Collections - Artifact
Pierce-Arrow Archer Hood Ornament, 1931-1938
Many early 20th century luxury automobile manufacturers outfitted their vehicles with hood ornaments or mascots. These decorative mascots were not only an advertisement for the company, but were also a symbol of the car owner's wealth and good taste. It seems appropriate that American car manufacturer Pierce-Arrow affixed an archer to the fronts of its models.