Le Galion, Gardénia, 'Gardenia', 50 ml. or 1.76 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1937, Paris, France ..

Le Galion, French for galleon, is a large warship or trader sailing ship with three or more masts .. lateen-rigged on the after masts and square-rigged on the foremast and mainmast .. whose dominance of the seas during the 15th to 18th centuries resulted in what we recognize today in the brand's logo.

The firm was supposedly founded by Prince Murat, but it was perfumer Paul Vacher who created the Le Galion fragrances, trademarked in 1936. He worked at Guerlain, one of the oldest perfume houses in the world, among other perfume houses. Vacher is best known for his parts in the creations of vintage Miss Dior for Christian Dior in 1947 with Jean Carles, and Arpège for Lanvin in 1927 with André Fraysse, as well as his Diorling, again for Dior in the 1960s.

The name of this beautiful brand, inspired by majestic seafaring vessels with their vast square sterns, evoked thoughts of freedom and escape. Some of the beautiful fragrances associated with the brand have stayed in our memories ... most especially Sortilège .. It seems that when Le Galion launched Sortilège in 1937 they wanted, like many perfume houses at the time, to have their own powdery aldehydic floral and play in the Chanel No. 5 field. They succeeded well, as Sortilège has this refined elegance that goes with pearls and fine gloves. The heart is a very recognizable rose-lily-jasmine blend. And it has a perfectly French feel.

Launched in 1937 also was Le Galion's beautiful Gardénia. Gardénia was introuduced by various perfumers around that time as part of a new line of concentrated soliflore perfumes. While the perfume is a complex construction of various elements, the idea was to represent one of the most beautiful and perfumed flowers in the world. Gardenia perfumes are generally strong, long lasting, heady and composed not only of precious gardenia, but also of tuberose, and jasmine, creating a beautiful fruity floral.

Gardénia is a fragrant queen of tropical flowers, which celebrates femininity and grace, joy and beauty. Gardénia is a beautiful decorative shrub with fragrant white flowers. It was named after American botanist Dr Alexander Garden. It grows in the Far East, in India and China. Like jasmine, it is traditionally added to the tea. Gardenia symbolizes love, harmony and grace. Unfortunately, none of the attempts to produce a natural essential oil were successful, so in the perfume industry it is only possible to be used as a dry flower extract, a synthetic analogue, or by mixing other essential oils that emulate the natural scent of gardenia. Intensive sweet floral, silky aroma of gardenia is similar to the scent of jasmine, and as much exciting.

'With its scandalous, head-turning perfume, the legendary gardenia silences talk of all other flowers. While the flower will not consent to be distilled, gardenia’s gorgeous perfume finds itself in an impressionistic rendering of the flower’s humid, creamy, velvety scent.’

Top notes are Citrus, Orange Blossom, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Gardenia, Jasmine, Rose, Ylang Ylang, and Tuberose
Base notes are Sandalwood, Vanilla, and Ambergris

Offered here is a wonderful rare almost 2 oz. flacon of the beautiful Gardénia perfume which has been beautifully kept in a dark cool place, with little evaporation, and both its inner box and outer wrapping. Highly desirable and collectible!