Société des Parfums de Luxe Burval was a niche French perfume house based in Saint-Denis at 161, Boulevard Ornano, which operated for only a brief period from approximately 1924 to 1926. Burval produced perfumes during the early Art Deco period, focusing on creating luxurious and elegant presentations. Despite its short lifespan, the company made a notable impact with its choice of perfume bottles, collaborating with the renowned French bottle designer Julien Viard, known for his finely crafted Art Deco glass designs. Viard’s work with Burval helped lend their perfumes a sense of exclusivity and artistic flair, qualities highly sought after in the rapidly evolving luxury market of the time.
The name "Burval" itself has roots in the French language, though its exact etymological origins are not entirely clear. It is pronounced “boor-VAHL” (with the “r” softened in the French style). This name could be a compound of French linguistic elements, perhaps chosen to evoke a sense of elegance or sophistication suited to a perfume company targeting the high-end market. While Burval’s exact intentions with the name remain unknown, the choice reflects the wider trend among perfume houses in the 1920s of selecting distinct, often French-sounding names that conveyed refinement and exclusivity.
Burval’s perfumes, though few in number, are admired today for their exquisite bottle designs. The collaboration with Viard resulted in delicate glasswork that captured the Art Deco spirit, with features such as geometric lines, decorative reliefs, and finely molded stoppers. These bottles are now collectible items, prized not only for their historical value but also for the artistic contribution they represent from a short-lived yet ambitious player in the French perfume industry.
