This fascinating bottle was designed by René Lalique in 1925 for Guerlain Bouquet de Faunes, a fragrance that debuted in 1922. I can only wonder what the content of that flacon were like! For other interesting vintage bottles, click here.
September 21, 2005
It looks like something from Ladurée. Which reminds me Ladurée has a range of scented candles. Scents like brioche, cafe, violette and so on, presented in these fancy Wedgewood-pastel boxes. I am sure you'd love them!
Posted by: MC | September 21, 2005 at 03:45
It is beautiful! Guerlain now have some fabulous old bottles from their collection on the ground floor of the Champs Elysees boutique.
xoxo
Posted by: parislondres | September 21, 2005 at 07:35
Those bottles are really beautiful! Wow!
Posted by: Karin | September 21, 2005 at 08:13
Mike, I did not know that Ladurée now has candles. Ladurée is one of my favourite tea salons in Paris, and I would definitely love a candle. I can understand what you mean. As I look at it, the flacon has an Art Deco/Second Empire feel.
By the way, have you had a chance of stopping by the newly renovated Guerlain boutique? Judging only by the new perfume packaging, it must be something special!
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 11:35
N, now I really must visit, because I love these vintage bottles. I was completely mesmerized by the other bottles listed on the site.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 11:37
Karin, aren't they? I also love vintage Caron bottles. They seem to be so anti-utilitarian and just beautiful.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 11:39
Oh, it's stunning!
Posted by: Marina | September 21, 2005 at 12:13
Isn't it? I wonder what the fragrance was like. From what I read, it was supposed to be very dark and animalic.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 12:20
LOL! I think I saw that exact bottle after doing what you must have done—Google "Bouquet de Faunes" after Octavian posted about it on LT's blog. My thoughts went in this order:
1) Damn, it's empty.
2) Oh, hey, what a lovely bottle!
3) Too bad it's empty.
Posted by: Tania | September 21, 2005 at 12:51
Tania, those were my thoughts exactly! I was very much drawn to the name after I read Octavian's mention. It made me think of ballet "à L'Après-Midi D'un Faune," which was very controversial at the time it debuted in 1912. Very sexual and completely unclassical. I wonder if Bouquet de Faunes was like that.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 13:33
Hi Victoria,
Here's a link to images of the Ladurée candles:
http://www.laduree.com/atmosphere.htm
They do look prettier "in the flesh" than in these photos!
Yes I have visited the new Guerlain shop. It's lovely, particularly the first floor with its amazing gold mosaic. Because of its organic shape it can feel as if one has fallen, Alice in Wonderland style, into an enormous art nouveau vase.
The "Tardis console" on which the main-line perfumes are arranged is quite a sight and the classic displays (Vega, Liu and so on) are beautiful.
I'm not so keen on the new Paris exclusives: Cuir Beluga is probably the most interesting but is for vanille addicts only. As you say, the packaging is superb: Second Empire via Frederic Malle.
The ten re-releases are welcome, though I would say around half were not worth releasing in the first place. Derby, however, is a great scent for men and should really be available in Guerlain's main line. I believe it has been "updated" but is better than I remember when I came across a sample bottle in Bon Marché a couple of years ago. Fresher, dryer, lighter. A little like Nicolai's New York. I might even prefer the new Derby to other leather big hitters like Bel Ami or Antaeus - though that may be because I don't approve of powerful perfumes on men :-O
It's good to see Baby Guerlain on the shelves again, along with a new version which I have heard was produced by Olivia Giacobetti for the shop. I sniffed a mouillette displayed alongside the bottle and there was only a trace of scent remaining so it is likely to be ethereal to the point of invisibility.
There is also a range of scented candles and incense sticks, all very rich and suitably Guerlain. I will go back to sample these again as I was perfumed out by then. In all highly recommended though you will need a nice cuppa in Ladurée after the experience!
Oh you probably know this already but I think Frederic Malle is opening a new boutique on Rue du Mont Thabor (beside the Maria Luisa men's shop; around the corner from WH Smith). I spotted a glass door with Malle logo a couple of days ago, though when I peered through it was all pipes and plaster. I expect it will be a few weeks or months before it is ready to open.
Posted by: MC | September 21, 2005 at 14:53
Thanks for that link, V - I'm such a fiend for beautiful flacons. They don't really make 'em like that anymore, do they? I love this one:
http://www.ragoarts.com/onlinecats/11.03LAL/037.jpg
So purty!
One of my personal favorite old bottles to look at is the old Chevalier ones...
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHEVALIER-de-la-Nuit-Perfume-CIRO-4-3-4-Tall-BLACK_W0QQitemZ6504891527QQcategoryZ35983QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
I dream of owning one of these someday...
Posted by: Katie | September 21, 2005 at 18:22
Mike, thank you for such a great overview! It is very much like I imagine it--big gilded vase. The design is fascinating, although it is the fragrance that attracts me. I was delighted to hear the news of Liu and Derby re-released, because I love both of these fragrances. Your news of Derby being even more interesting are good.
Interestingly enough, I only recently rediscovered Bel Ami, and I loved its dark richness. I do not like when fragrances are applied heavily, and I can imagine what a disaster Bel Ami could be when sprayed more than once. Just like Angel and Opium!
Please let me know what you think when you have another chance to try Baby Guerlain as well as candles. I have a catalogue, and everything looks enticing.
Oh, the rumours of a new FM boutique are true then. I wonder what focus it will have, since all of his boutiques tend to differ slightly. Another report by you that I shall be awaiting impatiently! :)
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 21:19
Katie, these are stunning bottles! If I had one, I would not dare display it, both for the fear that someone might break it and that the setting is just not grand enough. There is actually a museum in Barcelona dedicated solely to perfume bottles. Some people I know really enjoyed their visit. I, on the other hand, really want to go to Osmotheque.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 21, 2005 at 21:25