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Thursday, October 24, 2013

Parfumerie Agnel

Agnel was established in 1858 by Alexandre Cesar Napoleon Agnel at 16 avenue de l’Opéra, Paris, France. Originally a manufacturer of fine fragrances, soap, water and toilet vinegars, perfumed extracts, ointments, oils, and cosmetics, the company was first established in Bécon-les-Bruyères in 1853. Agnel's central perfumery was later located at 11 rue Molière, Paris.


The perfumery participated in the following exhibitions:

  • Paris 1878: Won a gold medal
  • Paris 1889: Won a silver medal
  • Paris 1900: Won a gold medal
  • Paris 1925: Won a gold medal




Rapports du jury international: classe 90 - Parfumerie - Page 121, 1901:
"Mr. Agnel who settled in 1858 at 66 rue Neuve des Petits Champs opened successively in the center of Paris five new stores in which only goods of its manufacture are sold. Several raw materials are distilled in steam plant Becon les Bruyeres: essential oils of iris, jasmine, etc.. Mr. Agnel introduced two new perfume Violette Imperial Russian, and Brisadia and extracts the new Karistèle and Myrianthis. Awards for previous exhibitions: gold medal Paris 1878, Silver Medal Paris 1889."

1925:
"SINCE 1878, the Perfumery Agnel obtained higher awards at all Universal Exhibitions always. 
It comes to again to justify its well-deserved reputation by offering a certain number of models whose taste and originality have been particularly noticed.
This is the secret of the Parisians' preference for this house, and also the pleasure they take in coming to visit its  stores of the Avenue de l'Opera, some of them find the best composed perfumes and finer in the most artistic presentations.

Each of his models has, indeed, the elegance and charm of a trinket of choice.

This dapper and fresh Reine Marguerite does not spring at the dawn of a lawn still dying with dew?

With Fête de Nuit, it seems that we are witnessing a fireworks display in the land of Celestials, red, blue and gold, suddenly lighting up a profile of a pagoda.
Does not Matin d'Ete indicate by its transparency and its colors? The purity and brilliance of a rising day?

How much more exquisite to find in this very modern powder Neigeuse, a so discreet reminder of the time when the marquises would powder themselves with frost.

And the Myrianthis and Bul Bul. But to name them all would be a long task.

It must be added, however, that this House thought that it should to his customers to present him also a pot of luxury for the use, become universal, of its indispensable Pate Pour la Beaute des Mains.

Thus, the Perfumery Agnel constantly renews all of its presentation and, by constant creations, imposes every day more his mark to the public. "

The lamb featured on the Agnel logos is derived from "agneau," which means "lamb" in French. Additionally, "Agnel" refers to an ancient French gold coin first struck during the reign of St. Louis, valued at about twelve sols six deniers. This coin, sometimes called "mouton d'or" or "agnel d'or," got its name from the depiction of a lamb (agnus) or sheep on one side of the coin.



 The perfume Dolly was named after the famous Dolly sisters. Naming the perfume "Dolly" after the famous Dolly Sisters sounds like a charming homage. The Dolly Sisters, Roszika (Rose) and Yansci (Jenny), were Hungarian-American identical twin dancers and actresses who gained fame in the early 20th century for their performances in Europe and the United States. Their glamorous and captivating presence would make them fitting inspirations for a fragrance that seeks to evoke elegance, beauty, and allure.

G. Agnel, son of Alexandre C.N. Agnel, established his own company around 1912 called the Golden Perfume Co in New York. This expansion into the United States likely allowed the Agnel family to further establish their fragrance business internationally and cater to a broader clientele.

Parfumerie Agnel, Societe a Responsabilite Limitee. 516,024, Oct. 4 ; Serial No. 556,023, a trademark registration for Parfumerie Agnel, a limited liability company, for perfumes, toilet water, face powder, and related products. The serial number indicates it was published on June 28, 1949. 

The Agnel perfumery closed in 1958 after 100 years of being in business. It's intriguing to learn about the history of Agnel perfumery. A century-long presence in the perfume industry is quite significant. It makes you wonder about the fragrances they created and the impact they had on the market during their time in business.   


The perfumes of Agnel:

  • 1900 Double Extract Eau de Cologne
  • 1901 Brisadia (Brisodia)
  • 1901 Violette
  • 1901 Rose
  • 1901 Ambre
  • 1901 Iris
  • 1901 Muguet
  • 1901 Jasmin
  • 1901 Oeillet
  • 1901 Iri-Violetta
  • 1901 Verveine
  • 1901 Citronelle
  • 1901 Ylang Ylang
  • 1901 Lilas
  • 1901 Clematite
  • 1901 Heliotrope
  • 1901 Opoponax
  • 1901 Jockey Club
  • 1901 Peau d'Espagne
  • 1901 Mimosa
  • 1901 Foin Nouveau
  • 1901 Imperiale Russe
  • 1901 Karistèle
  • 1901 Myrianthis
  • 1901 Extract Violettes de Djerban
  • 1901 Violette Imperial Russe
  • 1905 Karmoni
  • 1908 Karistele
  • 1910 Mon Doux Pays
  • 1913 Dolly
  • 1919 Chypre
  • 1919 Souvenir de Paris
  • 1920s Aidyona
  • 1920s Fete de Nuit
  • 1920s Chrysodis 
  • 1920s Desmedia
  • 1920s Glukonia 
  • 1920s Fin de Siecle 
  • 1920s Héliotrope Blanc
  • 1920s Lilas Blanc 
  • 1920s Lilas de Perse 
  • 1920s Muguet du Japan
  • 1920s Quintessence de Violettes 
  • 1920s Musc Tonkin 
  • 1921 Jeunesse
  • 1924 Bul Bul
  • 1925 En Foret
  • 1925 Cuir de Russie 
  • 1925 Lilas Persan
  • 1925 Matin d’Été
  • 1925 Parfum Roi
  • 1925 Reine Marguerite
  • 1925 Val Rose
  • Essence pour le Mouchoir
  • Iris Ambre 
  • Victoria 


Bottles:


Some bottles were made by Baccarat and others were made by Pochet et du Courval. The collaboration between Agnel and renowned glassmakers like Baccarat and Pochet et du Courval adds another layer of intrigue to their story. Both Baccarat and Pochet et du Courval are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship in glassmaking, particularly in creating luxury perfume bottles. The fact that Agnel chose to partner with such esteemed artisans speaks to the quality and elegance they sought to achieve with their fragrances. It's fascinating how the artistry of glassmaking intertwined with the art of perfumery to create these beautiful and collectible pieces.

Parfum Roi, bottle by Baccarat, c1910. Photo by Drouot.













 En Foret, bottle by Pochet et du Courval, c1925-1940s. Photos by Susan


Karistele, bottle by Pochet et du Courval, c1925-1940s. Photos by Susan


 Matin d'Ete, bottle by Pochet et du Courval, c1925-1940s. Photos by Susan


 Mon Doux Pays, bottle by Pochet et du Courval, c1925-1940s. Photos by Susan


Cuir de Russie, bottle by Pochet et du Courval, c1925-1940s. Photos by Susan

1 comment:

  1. Very interesting. Hard to find information on Agnel. Does anyone know if Agnel sold steel cut bead purses?

    ReplyDelete

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