Bienaimé, Bienaime, Caravane, 'Caravan', 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Pure Parfum Extrait, 1930, 1936, Paris, France ..

As perfumer for Houbigant from around 1910 to 1935, Robert Bienaimé created fragrances such as Lilac, a single flower fragrance and, one of Houbigants all time best sellers, Quelques Fleurs, a floral bouquet. First introduced in 1912, Quelques Fleurs continues to be available, though not in its exquisite original formula.

In 1935, Bienaimé launched his own Paris fragrance house, originally located at 396-rue saint-Honoré, Paris, where Bienaimé began to create fragrances under his own name. Bienaimé fragrances continued to appear during the 1940's and existed until 1950, but it would appear that the house did not survive for long after the war.

Launched in 1936, Caravane is a wonderful exotic spicy fragrance, reminiscent of the Far East, desert caravans carrying Persian carpets, incenses, and other beautiful trade items. It was created during a time when the European countries were becoming fascinated and beguiled by the art, religions, and lifestyles of the Asian continent and were beginning to incorporate some of these arts into their own homes and lives.

The fascination with the Orient was a growing trend, and perfumers such as Bienaimé were seeking new ingredients to create exotic scents for the fashionable women of Paris. Warm and sensual spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are united with oriental materials, such as exotic woods and resins. These traditional oriental ingredients are further enriched with beautiful accords of warm sandalwood or with drier notes of cedar or vetiver. Amber, frankincense and myrrh bring warmth and sensuality. These opulent bouquets include intoxicating and intensive substances such as musk, vanilla, exotic resins and rare exotic flowers.

Top notes are Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, and Taif Rose
Heart notes are Leather, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, and Anise
Base notes are Sandalwood, Vetiver, Frankincense, and Amber

"The initial impression upon opening a bottle of Caravane is one of overwhelming, warm and reassuring vanilla, yet this note is not listed in its make-up. This may be due to the initial presence of ylang and jasmine. The spiciness of the cinnamon, clove and nutmeg emerge next, yet these are not at all sharp, but blended beautifully in a sort of Christmas cookie aroma. The presence of Taif Rose is new to my nose. The internet tells me it is of the damask variety, hails from Saudi Arabia, and boasts an intense, powdery rose with hints of tea and honey. This emerges next to float over the spices. The solid base of sandalwood, vetiver, frankincense, amber and musk reminds me of so many other wonderful chypres from the 1930s and 1940s, so it seems to have been a popular combination. There is the experience of there being an encompassing dryness to the whole, as if a good deal of orris had been employed, yet again this is not in the note tree."

"Thus, the overall impression is of a honeyed, subtly spiced rose with a rich chypre base. To say this is wonderful to experience is an understatement. Although created for women, this would today be perfectly acceptable for a man to wear, due to its subtle blending and restrained dryness. My husband reacts to the amber and leather, finding it a rich, dark and thick combination. He notes that the florals are being constantly “refreshed” by the spices, which he finds to be darkly sweet. He envisions this worn by a woman of quality and vibrancy, a bon vivant with a warm and sensual presence. One of the very finest rose centered perfumes I have experienced to date. Highly recommended. Although long out of production, there are thankfully internet sellers who can still provide bottles. This is one to seek out for all rose lovers." Basenotes Review. Jack Twist

Offered here is a beautiful carved crystal two ounce flacon of this gorgeous perfume, without its presentation box, but still in beautiful shape. A little evaporation has occurred over the years. This bottle has apparently been previously opened, though barely used. Some tape has been used to secure the stopper. It may prove difficult to open and I would be quite willing to attempt to open it for a perspective buyer. Very rare to find this size in such wonderful condition. Highly collectible ..