Antique Brass Radiator Mascot “Robert Policeman,” John Hassall, Signed & Numbered, England c.1920s

Details

Description

Antique Brass Radiator Mascot “Robert Policeman,” John Hassall, Signed & Numbered, England c.1920s
A rare and highly collectible English antique … Read more Antique Brass Radiator Mascot “Robert Policeman,” John Hassall, Signed & Numbered, England c.1920s
A rare and highly collectible English antique automobilia radiator mascot designed by John Hassall RI (1868–1948), known as “Robert Policeman.” Signed and numbered, this interwar brass car mascot features an adjustable enamelled porcelain head with a spring-loaded mechanism—an unusual mixed-media detail that adds movement and display presence. The bold stop-traffic gesture creates a strong silhouette, making it an exceptional radiator ornament and a standout cabinet display piece for collectors of vintage motoring, British design, and advertising art.
John Hassall is a key figure in British poster and commercial art (notably “Skegness Is So Bracing” and the Kodak Girl). Because his legacy is primarily two-dimensional, authentic three-dimensional objects associated with his designs are comparatively scarce, increasing the desirability of this mascot for collectors of John Hassall, British illustration, and early 20th-century design. Historically distributed through Smith’s Motor Accessories, “Robert Policeman” remains one of the most recognisable and characterful English radiator mascots of the period.
Materials
Cast brass body with attractive antique patina
Enamelled porcelain head
Spring-loaded / adjustable head mechanism
Markings
Signed “Hassall” to the side
Numbered underneath
Dimensions (cm)
Height: 11.5
Width: 6.5
Depth: 5.5

Provenance & Published Reference
Richard Edmonds Auctions, 26 November 2022
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Antiques Trade Gazette, Issue 2576, 21 January 2023, p.30 (“The Web Shop Window”), illustrated and described as “Robert Policeman” (copy supplied with the item)

Chairish Search Keywords
John Hassall, Robert Policeman, radiator mascot, car mascot, automobilia, antique brass, English, interwar, 1920s, vintage radiator ornament, British design, advertising art, signed, numbered, porcelain head, Smith’s Motor Accessories, classic car accessory, collector display. See less