Houbigant, Quelques Violettes, 'Some Violets', Bienaimé, 50 ml., 1.76 oz., Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1913, 1925, Paris, France ..

The illustrious perfume House Houbigant has been in business in some form or another since the late 1700's and is still in business today. There is so much that could be written about Houbigant that it would take a book to fully address all of the achievements of this amazing fragrance company. Houbigant’s two perfumers Paul Parquet and Robert Bienaimé revolutionized perfumery and their work would influence many generations that would follow. The important innovations that they brought to the world of perfumery include creating multi faceted fragrances, using synthetic materials to achieve complex scents and creating beautiful imagery to perfume packaging, flacons and advertising.

Houbigant hired the young chemist Robert Bienaimé when he was only in his early 20's. Under the tutelage of Paul Parquet, Bienaimé, became proficient in both the Art and the Science of perfumery. His first major success was Quelques Fleurs “a Few Flowers." Robert Bienaimé created Quelques Fleurs in 1912 and it is a benchmark fragrance in modern perfumery as it had a lightness and a brightness that had never been achieved previously. This fragrance is credited as being the first modern floral fragrance.

Originally launched in 1913, the nose behind this stunning violet fragrance was also Robert Bienaimé. From the moment I came to love this iconic and absolutely feminine perfume, I became a great follower of Bienaimé. He eventually left Houbigant to create his own perfume house, simply Bienaimé.

Going back even further, history tells us that Quelques Violettes was originally launched way back in the late 1700s, when it was reportedly a favorite of Queen Marie-Antoinette. Houbigant was her personal perfumer. It was discontinued for decades before being reformulated and relaunched in 1913.

Top notes are Violet Leaf and Green Notes
Heart notes are Violet, Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Tuberose
Base notes are Sandalwood, and Cedar

"Quelques Violettes is a pretty, summery floral bouquet with a definate hint of violet topnotes. It's similar to Quelques Fleurs, but a bit sweeter. It is a delicate combination of violet scents, with the distinctively “woody" odor. A perfume of wistful charm and beauty that yields forth the inmost nature of the violet.”

Offered here is a charming ancient flacon of this historic perfume in a 1920's flacon with crystal plug and copper top. Very rare to find today, and still smelling gorgeous. The label is slightly worn with time. Fragrance is sublime. No box. Collectors and violette lovers!! Smells exquisite ..