ONLINE ENCORE for A Collector's Dream General Antiques Auction
Lot 359:
Description
The selection of mid-century automotive hood ornaments in this lot is a fantastic snapshot of the “Atomic Age” design aesthetic that defined American car culture, specifically focusing on the Space Race and Jet Age motifs of the early to mid-1950s. This lot contains four distinct pieces, all appearing to be chrome-plated cast metal, including: a down-swept wing emblem (likely 1951 Mercury), a striking jet-style wing with tapered wing-tip pods (identifiable as 1956 Oldsmobile), a globe-and-ring assembly (classic 1951 Oldsmobile “World Emblem”), and a shield/crest featuring a buffalo and the letter ‘K’ (attributed to the 1951 Kaiser hood ornament), the latter of which is mounted to a long metal post/staff for display. The pieces are sold “as-is” and exhibit consistent age and wear: the chrome finish is uniformly speckled, pitted, and worn across all pieces, with clear signs of rust and oxidation on the mounting hardware of the jet and globe pieces. The buffalo shield is attached to a slender metal rod which appears to be for display and is not original. The globe ornament has visible oxidation and rust on its mounting bracket on the reverse. The down-swept wings ornament shows scuffing and pitting on the top surface. Overall, this is a beautiful group of original parts with a fantastic, untouched patina. Estimated Measurements: H 34″, W 6″, D 6″ (This estimation is for the tallest piece, the Kaiser shield on the display rod). Dimensions: 1951 Mercury: 13” long, 4.5” wide, 3” tall. 1956 Oldsmobile: 12.5” wide, 5.5” tall, 3” deep (10” deep if including mounting arm). 1951 Kaiser: 5” wide, 3” tall, 1” deep. 15.5” tall with post mount. 1956 Oldsmobile: 13” long, 15” wide and 1.5” tall. See photos.
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