Chanel, Russia Leather, Cuir de Russie, 7.5 ml. or 0.25 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1924, 1940, Paris, France ..

"When couturier Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel launched her debut perfume No. 5, in 1921, it changed the whole world of fragrance. Perfumer Ernest Beaux produced a portfolio of samples for Mademoiselle to try .. and she chose the fifth proposal. So No. 5 was born, and has since gone on to become the most recognised name in perfumery, worldwide."

"Ernest Beaux remained the brand’s exclusive perfume designer, or ‘nose’, right up until 1952, creating further landmark scents including Chanel No. 22, and a trio of fragrances which now appear in Chanel‘s Les Exclusifs line: Cuir de Russie, Gardénia and Bois des Îles." The Perfume Society.

Cuir de Russie or Russian Leather was a development in perfumery at the end of the 19th century. Many perfume houses were creating perfumes for women who wore expensive furs and for the Royalty. Chanel's Cuir de Russie was created in 1924. The fragrance is both provocative and shocking, and that was exactly its purpose, because it was created for women who were expensively dressed, who wore dazzling furs, and who dared to smoke cigarettes in public. It was a kind of symbol of emancipation. The nose behind this fragrance is Ernest Beaux.

"If perfume allows the imagination to paint vivid pictures, Chanel Cuir de Russie is a fragrance that seems to embody a whole story. From the shimmering dry aldehydic top to the warm leathery base, it unveils one image after another. One can almost envision an elegant woman reaching into an exquisite leather handbag .. her hand looking through its contents .. lipstick, powder compact .. exuding an aroma of finesse .. a silver cigarette case .. The owner of the fragrant handbag is fond of listening to jazz music in smoky clubs .. Cuir de Russie has an alluring note redolent of soft tobacco pervading its leathery smoothness. It is indeed a scent of the fine handbag, soft kid gloves, and the warm skin of its beautiful owner." Bois de Jasmin.

The composition starts with aldehydes moderated by the mild nectar of a classical floral trio – rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang. The ending comes as smoky, animalistic notes of dark leather.

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Bergamot, Mandarin, Iris, Jasmine, Rose, and Ylang Ylang
Heart notes are Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Amber, and Galbanum
Base notes are Vetiver, Styrax, Leather, Vanilla, Spice Bush, Incense, and Cade Wood

Offered here is a lovely very old little 7.5 ml. bottle of the Russia Leather perfume. It is no longer sealed and it may have been gently used. The label is slightly soiled. This rare treasure is among the world’s most delicious cuir’s. Suits both men and women .. This bottle was originally part of a set of four that were presented in the box shown here.