d'Orsay

Object Named’Orsay Perfume Bottle with Stopper

Designer René Lalique (French, 1860-1945)

Manufacturer Lalique et Cie (France)

Made FromGlass, Paper, Patina, Perfume

Datedesigned in 1920

Place MadeFrance, Combs-la-Ville

TechniqueMold-blown, mold-pressed, acid-etched, applied patina

SizeOverall H: 8.4 cm, W: 6.2 cm, D: 2.4 cm; (a) Bottle H: 6.7 cm, W: 6.2 cm, D: 2.3 cm; (b) Stopper H: 2.6 cm, W: 3.6 cm, D: 2 cm

Accession Number2011.3.409 B

Credit LineGift of Elaine and Stanford Steppa

Curatorial Area(s)

Modern

Exhibitions

Rene Lalique: Enchanted by Glass (CHRYSLER)

On ViewChanging Exhibition Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

This bottle was sold as a boxed set by the trend-setting Alfred d’Orsay, a French dandy who rubbed shoulders with influential figures like Victor Hugo and the future emperor Napoleon III. A few similar sets survive, all with different fragrance selections, suggesting that customers were invited to mix-and-match their favorites. The clean lines of these bottles anticipate the iconic Chanel No. 5 bottle, released a year later.

Physical DescriptionD’Orsay Perfume Bottle with Stopper, "D'Orsay". Colorless glass; mold-blown bottle, mold-pressed stopper, acid-etched, applied patina. Rectangular bottle with narrow short neck and wider rim. Circular gold paper label on front reading, "FLEUR / DE FRANCE / D'ORSAY". Bottle contains liquid remnants of dark amber brown perfume. Stopper with rectangular top with floral motif fixed in bottle.
Provenance

Source Stanford Steppa - 2011-12-09

Source Elaine Steppa - 2011-12-09