Les Parfums d’Argelys

Les Parfums d’Argelys: A Timeline of Evolution and Elegance

Les Parfums d’Argelys, a Parisian perfume house, is shrouded in mystery but known for its artistic approach to fragrance. Associated with the brands Les Parfums d’Arguilla and later Les Parfums d’Aguila, the company underwent several transformations, reflecting its adaptation to evolving markets and possibly different regions. Its history, while fragmented, reveals a legacy of enchanting scents and creative presentations.

The perfumes of d'Argelys:

• 1925 Amante
• 1925 Les Fleurs d'Argelys
• 1925 Amour Sans Fin
• 1925 Eau de Cologne d'Argelys 
• 1925 Origan Vestale
• 1925 Pourquoi je t'aime
• 1930 Cri du Jour

Origins and Early Years:

The earliest records of Les Parfums d’Argelys trace back to the 1920s. The company launched several notable fragrances, combining traditional French perfumery with innovative marketing.

1920 Amante: A scent symbolizing passion, likely built around warm and seductive accords such as amber, musk, and spices, with a floral undertone of rose or jasmine.

1920 Eau de Cologne d’Argelys: A refreshing and vibrant cologne likely featuring a classic citrus-herbal profile with notes of bergamot, lemon, rosemary, and neroli.

As the 1920s progressed, the brand expanded its offerings:

1927 Rêve de Noël: Translating to Christmas Dream, this perfume may have captured the festive warmth of the season with spicy, resinous notes of cinnamon, clove, and frankincense, layered over a comforting vanilla or amber base.

1930 Carnaval de Fleurs: Carnival of Flowers likely celebrated springtime blooms, with a vibrant blend of florals such as lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, and orange blossom, perhaps accented by a hint of greenery.

1930 Amour Sans Fin: Endless Love, introduced earlier under d’Argelys, reflected timeless romance with rich, long-lasting florals like tuberose and ylang-ylang, grounded by earthy patchouli or sandalwood.

Transition to Les Parfums d’Arguilla and d’Aguila:

Evidence suggests that Les Parfums d’Argelys eventually evolved into Les Parfums d’Arguilla and later Les Parfums d’Aguila Les Parfums d'Aguila by the 1940s. These shifts might indicate a rebranding strategy to cater to different markets, with d’Argelys focusing on French and U.S. consumers and d’Arguilla or d’Aguila targeting South America.

1945 Carnaval de Fleurs (Les Parfums d’Aguila): A reinvention of the 1930 fragrance, this version was presented in intricate music boxes, enhancing its allure. The packaging likely featured ornate designs, reflecting luxury and craftsmanship.

1945 Rêve de Noël (Les Parfums d’Aguila): Similarly updated and presented in music boxes, this scent likely retained its festive charm, combining warm spices and resins with the comforting sweetness of vanilla or tonka bean.

A Legacy of Adaptation:

By the mid-20th century, the company’s various iterations—d’Argelys, d’Arguilla, and d’Aguila—demonstrated its willingness to evolve and adapt. The association with Jean Florian, a bankrupt perfumery retailer, and the listings in international trade records hint at the challenges and complexities of the business.

Despite its eventual disappearance, the brand’s creative fragrances and innovative presentations, such as music box packaging, solidified its place in the annals of perfumery history. Each scent serves as a testament to the elegance and artistry of early 20th-century French perfume-making.

A Closer Look at the Perfumes:

D'Argelys, a French perfume house known for its artistic and evocative creations, debuted a series of captivating fragrances during the 1920s and 1930s. These perfumes encapsulated the elegance and romance of the interwar period, drawing inspiration from themes of love, nature, and timeless beauty. Each fragrance, launched in 1925 or 1930, tells a story through its name and likely olfactory profile.

1925 Amante

The name Amante, meaning "lover" in French, hints at a sensual and passionate fragrance. This perfume likely embraced warm, seductive notes such as amber, musk, and spices, layered with a floral heart of jasmine or rose. The scent would have been an ode to romance, exuding intimacy and allure.

1925 Les Fleurs d'Argelys

Translated as "The Flowers of D'Argelys," this fragrance likely celebrated a bouquet of delicate and harmonious floral notes. Ingredients such as rose, lily-of-the-valley, violet, and orange blossom may have combined to create a fresh and elegant composition, evoking a blooming garden in full splendor.

1925 Amour Sans Fin

Amour Sans Fin, or "Endless Love," suggests a deeply romantic and enduring scent. This perfume may have featured rich, timeless ingredients like tuberose, ylang-ylang, and patchouli, complemented by soft powdery or woody undertones to convey depth and longevity.

1925 Eau de Cologne d'Argelys

D'Argelys' cologne would have been a refreshing and invigorating blend, true to the classic eaux de cologne tradition. Citrus notes like bergamot, lemon, and orange might have mingled with herbal accents such as rosemary, lavender, and neroli, offering a bright and clean scent perfect for daily wear.

1925 Origan Vestale

Origan Vestale translates to "Vestal Oregano," likely drawing inspiration from the sacred vestal virgins of Roman mythology. This perfume may have contained spicy, herbaceous notes of oregano or clove, intertwined with a floral heart of carnation and a warm base of vanilla or amber, creating a unique and mystical fragrance.

1925 Pourquoi je t’aime

"Why Do I Love You?"—this poetic name evokes introspection and tenderness. The fragrance likely featured a soft and romantic profile, with gentle notes of rose, heliotrope, and violet, enriched by creamy sandalwood or sweet tonka bean, reflecting the sweet mysteries of love.

1930 Cri du Jour

Translated as "Cry of the Day," this perfume’s name hints at an energetic and expressive scent, perhaps designed to capture the spirit of modernity in the 1930s. A lively blend of aldehydes, sparkling citrus, and vibrant green notes might have opened the composition, leading to a floral heart and an earthy base of vetiver or oakmoss for balance and sophistication.

Each of these d'Argelys perfumes likely reflected the artistic trends of their time, blending innovative formulations with classic ingredients to craft scents that spoke to the emotions and aspirations of their wearers. Through their evocative names and probable compositions, these fragrances remain an intriguing part of perfumery history.

Bottles:

The black bottle and the identical bottle in clear glass used for Amante and Eau de Cologne d'Argelys was made by H. Saumont glassworks in France. This bottle was used by other companies as well such as Miro Dena.