Amphore Flacon (1958)

In 1958, Lancôme released a limited edition purse flacon for its fragrance Envol, a design that fused classical inspiration with modern elegance. Known as the "Amphore," this miniature perfume bottle was intended not just as a vessel for perfume, but as a wearable jewel—a refined accessory that reflected the glamour of the late 1950s.

The frosted glass bottle features a softly elongated oval silhouette, tapering gracefully into a long, pointed end reminiscent of ancient amphorae used to store precious oils or wines. Its sculptural shape, though minimal, is striking and tactile—meant to be held, admired, and appreciated as a decorative object in its own right.

The flacon is topped with a gilded brass cap engraved with the words "Envol de Lancôme." Attached to the cap is a brass loop, allowing the bottle to be suspended from a cord or chain and worn as a pendant—making it ideal for on-the-go application while still offering a sense of refinement and luxury. The entire piece measures approximately 4.25 inches in length, from the top of the ring to the pointed end of the bottle.

While this special edition was exclusively used for Envol parfum, it was not just a one-time release. The Amphore bottle proved popular enough that it was reissued each Christmas season through 1962, aligning it with the tradition of gifting fine fragrances during the holidays. Today, surviving examples of the Envol Amphore flacon are coveted by collectors for both their rarity and the elegance of their design, which so beautifully captures Lancôme’s golden era of artistic perfume presentation.