Flacon de Sac Spoutnik la Pleine Lune (1958)

In 1958, to mark the launch of Sputnik—the Soviet Union’s groundbreaking artificial satellite and the first human-made object to orbit Earth—Lancôme introduced a striking limited-edition perfume presentation named “Spoutnik, la Pleine Leune.” The release captured the global fascination with space exploration that defined the late 1950s. Designed by renowned Lancôme artistic director Georges Delhomme, this flacon was both a tribute to technological achievement and a poetic evocation of celestial mystery.

The Spoutnik bottle, created by the Georges Parant Glassworks, is rendered in softly tinted, opalescent glass with a bluish cast, often described as nuagé or clouded. This dreamlike finish gives the surface an ethereal, moonlit glow, perfectly complementing the bottle's central motif—a full moon face with a serene, almost meditative expression. Compact and rounded, the flacon was designed to fit in the palm of the hand or slip into a purse, making it as practical as it was visually arresting. The glass itself mimics the luminescent quality of moonlight, with a pale blue hue that shifts subtly under light, enhancing the sculptural depth of the face. Atop the flacon sits a simple yet elegant gilded brass cap, reinforcing the luxurious identity of the house.

Though initially created for Magie, the Spoutnik bottle was also used to contain other Lancôme fragrances. This versatility allowed the design to transcend a single scent and become an iconic object in its own right. Its form—round, cosmic, and feminine—struck a balance between modernity and myth, echoing ancient lunar imagery while nodding to the dawn of the Space Age.

According to Lancôme, only 100 examples of the Spoutnik bottle were ever produced, making it one of the rarest perfume presentations in the brand’s history. Each stands approximately 2.75" by 2.25", and today these flacons are highly sought-after by collectors. The rarity, coupled with its unusual design and historical significance, places the Spoutnik bottle among the most treasured mid-century perfume collectibles.

In sum, the Lancôme Spoutnik flacon is a poetic fusion of art, science, and luxury. Created during an era when outer space captured the world’s imagination, it remains a luminous artifact of both perfumery and history—where a bottle became a miniature moon, cradling scent as it celebrated the stars.