Carquois Presentation (1955)

The Lancôme Carquois perfume presentation, created by Georges Delhomme in 1955, is among the most imaginative and rarest perfume coffrets ever produced by the house. Designed as a one-of-a-kind tribute for a prestigious charity gala, this striking presentation brought together theatrical design, mythological symbolism, and high-society glamour.

The Carquois (French for “quiver”) was unveiled on the evening of August 28, 1955, during the Bal des Petits Lits Blancs, a grand charitable ball held at the Casino de Deauville, a seaside resort and gambling complex located in Deauville, Normandy, France. The event, whose name translates to "Ball of the Little White Beds," was a glamorous annual fundraiser that benefited children's hospitals in France. The white beds referenced in the name symbolized the small hospital beds used by young patients. Sponsored by socialites and celebrities, the event was known for its elegance, couture, and charitable spirit.

For this occasion, Delhomme designed a unique cardboard presentation box covered in a specially printed paper bearing a repeating motif of the words Magie, Trésor, and Lancôme—each name evoking magic, treasure, and the luxurious world of French perfumery. The box was shaped and styled to resemble a quiver, the traditional container used to carry arrows, and was finished with an attached ribbon to complete the fantasy. The design wasn't arbitrary—rather, it played with the metaphor of fragrance as a “piercing” and unforgettable experience, like Cupid’s arrows aimed at the senses.

Inside this whimsical packaging were two elongated perfume bottles, each crafted from pressed, frosted satin glass to resemble stylized arrows. Their elongated forms, with gently tapering points and ridged feather-like ends, embodied both elegance and imagination. These “arrow” flacons bore gilded paper labels marked with the respective names of Magie and Trésor, two of Lancôme’s most iconic fragrances. Each bottle stood 19.5 cm tall, which is approximately 7.7 inches, making them long and slender—true to the design theme.

This presentation was not part of Lancôme's commercial line, but rather a rare collector’s piece associated with a singular, high-profile event. Its creation aligned with Armand Petitjean’s vision for Lancôme as a house where fragrance, art, and culture intersected. Few examples of this Carquois set are known to survive today, and those that do are coveted by collectors for their storytelling, their exquisite design, and their connection to a moment of French social history.