For the cycling fans, but certainly for lovers of Art Deco, we have something truly special to offer: look at this rare Argentine masterpiece.
R. de DOMINICIS is promoting “The best bikes in the world and everything on wheels for kids”.
The image shows an Argentine cycling champion wearing the colors of the national flag in his outfit. He is accompanied by a flying shadow goddess who leads him to victory. Such figures were a popular motif of the 1930s and 1940s, often gracing the hood ornaments of prestigious marques like Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, Buick, and Chevrolet — symbols of speed, elegance, and exclusivity. Whether this goddess was inspired by Eleanor Thornton, the model behind Rolls-Royce’s “Spirit of Ecstasy,” remains an intriguing mystery.
The sign reads “R. de Dominicis,” implying “Rolando Dominicis” or “Rodados de Dominicis.” The bicycle-shop was located in the province of Santa Fe, about 285km north-west of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Over the last four decades, only three or four examples of this sign have surfaced — and this is likely the best-preserved among them. A true rarity.
In our opinion the beauty of this sign can only be truly experienced when seen in person. It has a presence that no photograph can truly capture.