Flacon Volutes (1942)

The Lancôme Édition Grand-Luxe from 1942 is an exquisite example of mid-20th-century French perfumery design, showcasing both elegance and artistry. The bottle itself is crafted from pressed, frosted colorless glass, molded into a sleek rectangular section with a distinctly cubic silhouette. Its body is adorned on two opposing faces with an intricate relief decoration of four graceful spirals or volutes, which add a dynamic yet refined ornamental touch. This spiral motif is echoed in the bottle’s stopper, a flat disc that carries the same swirling design, creating a harmonious and cohesive visual theme.

Designed by Jean Sala, the flacon reflects a balance of modern geometric form with delicate decorative flourishes, typical of Lancôme’s luxurious presentation standards of the era. The bottle comes complete with its original label—an elegant gold pampille—that hangs delicately, underscoring its prestige. The entire ensemble is housed in a beautifully crafted presentation box designed by Hadrien Leduc. The box is covered in polychrome paper featuring vibrant illustrations of tropical flowers and hummingbirds, set upon a base made of ivory-colored galalith or Pollopas plastic, lending an added layer of sophistication and artistry.

Standing 12.5 cm tall, this flacon was used for various Lancôme perfumes during the early 1940s and stands as a testament to the brand’s dedication to pairing exquisite fragrance compositions with equally refined packaging. The bottle was used for various lancome perfumes: Bocages, Fleches, Cuir, Tropiques, Conquete, Tendres Nuits, Peut-Etre, Kypre and Marrakech.