07 Monday May 2018
Posted in Perfume Bottles
I’ve just re-read Judith Leiber’s obituary (April 30) in The New York Times. I’ll never own a Leiber minaudière—they’re well beyond my financial ability—but I’ve always loved looking at them, either in photos or on the shelves of the Leiber niche in Bergdorf Goodman’s handbag department.
Leiber said in 1994, “I think everything we do should have whimsy in it.”
In keeping with our theme…let’s look at a few Leiber accessories inspired by perfume bottles!
11 Monday Dec 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
Nine weeks after falling and breaking my ankle, I’m about to venture back into the world! I’m still wearing an ugly “walking boot,” but I’m ready to return to work part-time and to make outings to destinations other than physical therapy and the orthopedist’s office. In this spirit, I’m sharing a favorite contemporary (or, at least, recent) perfume bottle: the “Stepping Out” edition of Caswell Massey’s CASMA.
Enjoy your week!
24 Friday Nov 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
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It’s Black Friday—are you out shopping? I might be doing a little online shopping for scented treats later today.
I just wanted to share this glamorous photograph from VOGUE, dated December 15, 1934 (the middle of the Great Depression, no less!). The photographers were Peter Nyholm and John Phillips and the image was titled “A Collection of Christmas Gifts.”
I can see perfumes and other fragranced indulgences from Chanel, Guerlain (Jicky soap!), Millot, Lucien LeLong, Jean Patou, Lenthéric, Molinelle, Weil, Richard Hudnut, and others. Something for everyone on even the fanciest Christmas list of 1934!
05 Sunday Nov 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
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Did you remember to “fall back” last night or this morning?
(This vintage Shalimar-inspired clock is available through Time in a Bottle at Rubylane.)
30 Monday Oct 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
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I found this photo of an antique tombstone-shaped perfume coffret on the auction site Rubylane. However, the sale has been removed and its vendor no longer exists. What a shame; I wish I could learn more about this piece! It’s delightfully Gothic.
Wishing you a few delightful chills and thrills this Halloween!
18 Wednesday Oct 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
This small terracotta bottle dates to the mid-6th century B.C.E. and was made on the Greek island of Rhodes. It originally would have held some oil-based perfume. I’m thinking a lot about feet and ankles right now, so I just wanted to share this humorous ancient item.
Enjoy your day and watch your step!
Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art, terracotta aryballos (perfume vase) in the form of a sandaled right foot, 24.97.4
20 Sunday Aug 2017
Posted in Advertising and Scent, Perfume Bottles
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On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible from North America. I’m hoping to step outside to watch the moon pass the sun for a few minutes, even if I’m only getting a partial view in New York City. I just need to make a pinhole viewer out of a cereal box first!
Important consideration, though: what fragrance to wear for this once-in-lifetime occurrence? Here are five suggestions…
14 Monday Aug 2017
Posted in Perfume Bottles
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I’m not able to write as much as usual this week, due to other commitments and to our sweet older cat’s current health issues. Instead, I can offer a photo of this Avon perfume bottle from my childhood home. It’s called “Sitting Pretty” and it originally held Charisma Eau de Cologne.
03 Thursday Aug 2017
Posted in Art and Scent, Perfume Bottles
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I’ve never had a chance to do any “official” research on Audrey Flack’s work, but I’ve been a fan of her photorealist still-life paintings for a long time. Here’s one titled Jolie Madame, dated 1973. (It belongs to the National Gallery of Australia.)
Flack (b. 1931) is known for her contemporary reinterpretations of vanitas images—still-life compositions that symbolically evoke mortality and the “vanity” of earthly pleasures…
