Volnay, Ritournelle, 'Ritournello', 50 ml. or 1.69 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, Lalique, 1922, Paris, France ..

The perfume house 'Volnay, Paris' was conceived literally in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It happened on a ship from New York to Paris in 1918, where its founders, René Leon Jean Duval and Germaine Madeline first met and got to know each other. The young man was the commercial director of the famous perfume manufacturer François Coty, and the young lady was returning home from Mexico, where she lived for eight years. Falling in love with each other, they got married and then on May 1, 1919 founded Maison Volnay Paris, which would go on to become well known in Europe and worldwide.

"Parfums de Volnay of Paris France and Suresnes France was established in 1919 by Rene Duval, who had previously worked for perfumer Coty and established Brahma perfumery in 1912, producing Oriental style presentations. Volnay soon became very successful and had opened branches in London, Milan, Brussels, New York, South America and Australia. Volnay also produced perfumes for other companies such as Fontanis.

Volnay created some of the finest presentations utilizing unusual names and eclectic styles inspired by exotic and romantic themes. Best known for the use of a pearlized finish called 'laitence de hareng', created by Andre Jolivet, on their perfume bottles, such as the one for Perlinette and Perlerette in 1925. I believe that these bottles were made by Nesle Normandeuse. Julien Viard created some gorgeous flacons for Volnay. These bottles were manufactured by Depinoix and Société Parisienne de Verrerie (SPV). Lalique manufactured some bottles for Volnay, including the ones for Gri-Gri, Chypre Ambre, Ambre de Siam, Violette, Mimeomai, Jardinee and Mousse Ambre." Cleopatra's Boudoir

Ritournelle or Ritournello means a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal composition; an instrumental interlude in early opera; or a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain.

I have absolutely no perfume notes for this extraordinarily rare Volnay perfume. It is housed in a similar bottle as the ‘Perlinette’ that I had listed but which has now sold, and this bottle comes housed in its own exquisite box! It is a sumptuous presentation and of interest to collectors. I have suggested some of the notes that might make up this ancient composition. Collectors.

I have some letters of inquiry out to some experts on this subject, and hope to add more notes to this listing very soon.