Dea Besalashvilis

Mounting

All mascots were mounted with Breves Gallery mounts of two basic sizes- Larger bases to fit the larger size mascots, and a smaller version to fit the smaller mascots. The full Breves Gallery Knightsbridge address was always impressed on the outside of the illuminated base types- I have encountered bases in ten different styles- most were simple tube design of slightly different heights, some were flared outwards for larger mascots, some were flared inwards. Two different mounting rings were used- Virtually all had a cut to accommodate the types of mascot that obviously were too big to allow a solid ring to pass over the body of the piece. To actually fit this ring, one has to prise the ring gently to position the ring around the base, then grip tightly and hopefully line up the ring thread to the base. The problem is that with the mascot being glass, and the ring being made of brass, then nickel or chrome plated, it is very difficult to complete this operation without damaging the lip of the base, thus spoiling the piece forever. Simple red rubber washers were provided to assist the mascot to sit snugly on to the base, but over the years these usually perished away, and were then discarded. The danger of damage is also great when finally tightening the ring even when fitted over the base- obviously when the mascot was used on the car whilst driving on the road, the slightest pressure on an over tightened or slack mount would result in a serious base fracture. Add to this the obvious problems associated from heat generated from the inside bulb, and one can see why so few pieces actually used on cars whilst driving have survived intact.