Welcome!

Welcome to my unique perfume blog! Here, you'll find detailed, encyclopedic entries about perfumes and companies, complete with facts and photos for easy research. This site is not affiliated with any perfume companies; it's a reference source for collectors and enthusiasts who cherish classic fragrances. My goal is to highlight beloved, discontinued classics and show current brand owners the demand for their revival. Your input is invaluable! Please share why you liked a fragrance, describe its scent, the time period you wore it, any memorable occasions, or what it reminded you of. Did a relative wear it, or did you like the bottle design? Your stories might catch the attention of brand representatives. I regularly update posts with new information and corrections. Your contributions help keep my entries accurate and comprehensive. Please comment and share any additional information you have. Together, we can keep the legacy of classic perfumes alive!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Quadruple Plate Perfume Bottles & Puff Boxes Victorian Catalog Advertisements

Here is a bevy of antique quadruple silver plate vanity accessories including perfume and cologne bottles, atomizers, puff boxes and more. Some of these were by the Wilcox Silverplate Co.; Middletown Silver Co.; Pairpoint; and the Meriden Silver Plate Co.

Advertisements are taken from Victorian era catalogs from:
  • The Busiest House in America (Lapp and Flershem, Chicago). 









COLOGNE & BARBER BOTTLES:




 



PERFUME ATOMIZERS:

The atomizers below were made by a variety of silverplate manufacturers including Pairpoint Mfg Co. 

















 





BOTTLES & OTHER ITEMS:  


 

Crown Perfumery Lavender Smelling Salts Bottle with Silverplate Holder, shown below

Crown Perfumery Lavender Smelling Salts Bottle with Silverplate Holder, shown below


Roger et Gallet Johann Marie farina Cologne with Silverplate Holder, shown below.









  

PUFF (POWDER) BOXES:









Bohemian Glass Vinaigrettes and Perfume Bottles c1901 Ad

Victorian/Edwardian era Bohemian glass perfume/cologne bottles from a 1901 02 A. C. McClurg & Co. publication. Many of the decorated bottles look as if they were made by Moser. The chatelaine scent bottles are beautiful.














images: ebay seller gdawg/edited by me

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Ming Toy by Parfums Forest c1923

The magnificent Ming Toy was created for Parfums Forest in 1923. The name is an anglicized version of a Chinese name. Ming Toy is a Chinese girl in the musical comedy "East Is West" from  (1918). The name is one of many exotic perfumes manufactured in the 1920s given Near Eastern inspired names including: Shanghai, Le Temple Chinois,  Mitsouko, Wanaranee, Crepe de Chine, Tsingtao, Mitsuiva, Hasu-No-Hana, Lucille de Chine, Kai Sang, Phul-Nana, Cha Ming, Kananga du Japon, Vale of Kashmar, Ming, Cho-Cho-San, Tsang-Ihang, Mai Wang, Kesako, Yoshiwara, Chin Ching, and Chu-Chin-Chow.


Fay Bainter and Hassard Short in Ming Toy.



Ming Toy Perfume Bottle. On March 25, 1924, Leon Cohn of Paris, France, patented his design in America for a perfume bottle. The bottle represented a seated figure of a Chinese girl with fan in hand and fancy headdress which formed the stopper of the bottle. The bottle was manufactured by Baccarat. The name "Ming Toy" is painted across the face of the fan, and the bottle of crystal glass has been decorated with colored enamels and gold. The bottle stands 4 3/8" tall.







Saturday, September 13, 2014

Parfums Le Galion

Le Galion of Neuilly and Paris France.

The story of Parfums Le Galion begins in 1930 with the founding of the house by Prince Murat, who was a descendant of Joachim Murat, brother in law of Napoleon 1st, and King of Naples. The company was originally located at 11 bis, rue Amelie in Paris.


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Jardanel by Jean Desprez c1938

Jardanel by Jean Desprez was launched in 1938, a period marked by the looming shadows of World War II. The late 1930s were a time of both tension and transition, with Europe on the brink of conflict but still clinging to the vestiges of pre-war elegance and sophistication. In France, the era was characterized by a blend of anxiety and a desire for escapism. High society sought solace in art, fashion, and fragrance, cherishing the last moments of a world that would soon be irrevocably changed. Perfumes of this time often carried a sense of nostalgia, beauty, and a yearning for simpler, more idyllic times.

Jean Desprez, a master perfumer known for his exquisite creations, chose the name "Jardanel" for this particular fragrance. The name "Jardanel" is a combination of "jardin," the French word for garden, and "anel," which could be derived from the French word "aneler," meaning to entwine or encircle. Thus, "Jardanel" can be interpreted as "garden entwined" or "encircled garden." This evokes imagery of a lush, fragrant garden, a place of natural beauty and tranquility. The name is inherently French, carrying the elegance and sophistication associated with French gardens, known for their meticulously designed landscapes and rich floral displays.

Choosing "Jardanel" as the name for a perfume is particularly appropriate because gardens are often associated with a variety of enchanting scents. A garden is a place where nature's fragrances blend harmoniously, creating an olfactory experience that is both soothing and invigorating. The name suggests a perfume that captures the essence of a garden, with notes that might include floral, green, and earthy elements, reminiscent of blooming flowers, fresh leaves, and damp soil. This aligns with the trends of the time, where there was a strong appreciation for natural and fresh fragrances.

The target audience for a perfume named "Jardanel" in the late 1930s would likely have been women who appreciated the elegance and refinement of French culture. These women would have been drawn to the romantic and sophisticated connotations of a garden, finding comfort and pleasure in a scent that offered an escape to a serene, natural haven. In a world on the cusp of turmoil, the idea of a peaceful, beautiful garden would have been particularly appealing, evoking a sense of calm and stability.



The images and feelings evoked by the word "Jardanel" are those of serenity, beauty, and nature. One might envision a sun-drenched garden filled with a riot of colorful flowers, the gentle buzz of bees, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. The scent would likely transport the wearer to this idyllic setting, offering a sensory escape from the harsh realities of the time. Feelings of joy, tranquility, and a connection to nature would be central to the experience of wearing Jardanel, making it a cherished addition to a woman's perfume collection.

When Jardanel was relaunched in 1944, the world was in the midst of World War II, a starkly different environment from its initial launch. However, the name and concept remained a poignant reminder of peace and beauty amidst chaos. The fragrance would have resonated deeply with those longing for a return to normalcy and the simple pleasures of life, such as the timeless beauty of a garden.

Jean Desprez Perfumes

Jean Desprez of 17 rue de la Paix, Paris; perfumerie established by Jean Desprez (1898 to 1973) the great-grandson of F Millot who created 'Crêpe de Chine'. Jean was a top class perfumer by profession who employed Paul Mergier to design the packaging for his products, and Leon Leyritz to design the bottles. Still a family run and owned business.

The perfumes of Jean Desprez:
  • 1939 Etourdissant
  • 1939 Grand Dame
  • 1939 Scheherazade
  • 1939 Votre Main
  • 1947 40 Love
  • 1962 Bal A Versailles
  • 1973 Jardanel

Monday, September 1, 2014

Maitresse by Agent Provocateur c2006

Maitresse by Agent Provocateur: launched in 2006, created by Azzi Glasser.



From Agent Provocateur:

AP Maitresse is an intoxicating Eau De Parfum with the passionate top notes of White Lotus Petals and delicate nuances of white Ylang Ylang, caressed by the pure essence of Osmanthus core, and immersed deep into Jasmin Sambac...the scent of seduction.

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral aldehyde fragrance for women.

  • Top notes: aldehydes, white lotus petals, ylang ylang and violet leaves
  • Middle notes: osmanthus, jasmine and rose
  • Base notes: iris, amber, musk, patchouli and white suede

The egg-shaped (bomb-shaped) bottle is finished in rich gilding.

Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 0.25 oz Eau de Parfum Purse Spray
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 1 oz Eau de Parfum
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 3.3 oz Eau de Parfum
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 6.7 oz Seductive Milk Body Wash 
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 2pc Coffret: 1 oz EDP and 2.5 oz Luxurious Body Eixir 
Click HERE to purchase Maitresse 3pc Coffret: 3.3 oz EDP, 0.34 oz EDP Roll On and 5.07 oz Luxurious Body Elixir 


The success of Maitresse by Agent Provocateur spawned a flanker scent: Maitresse Eau Provocateur.



From Agent Provocateur:
Provocative and enigmatic, this modern interpretation of Maitresse will leave you wanting more. Here lie fragrant accords of Rose, Jasmin Sambac and Iris with delightfully light, green notes of Acacia (a thorny shrub). A green note of Granny Smith Apples makes this lingering scent so fresh and floral. A delectable base of Amber, Sandalwood, Tonka and gourmand elements complete this floral feast.
So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women, with a dominant note of iris.
  • Top notes: rose, Sambac jasmine and iris 
  • Middle notes: granny smith apple and acacia
  • Base notes: amber, sandalwood, tonka bean

Click HERE to purchase Maitresse Eau 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette


Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Perfumes of Coryse Salome & Cartier

Coryse was established in 1919 by Maurice Blanchetat 64 rue de la Chaussee-d'Antin, Paris and sold perfumes, toiletries and cosmetics. He purchased the perfumery Salome in 1929 and the two companies merged into Coryse-Salome.





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