Oriza L Legrand, Doubles Violettes du Czar, 'Double Violets of the Czar' 40 ml. or 1.35 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1862, 1930 Paris, France

In 1720, during the reign of Louis XV, Fargeon the Elder was the perfumeur and distiller of the king and his court, which was known in Europe as “The Perfumed Court”. The Maison Oriza enjoyed the trust of the most illustrious citizens in France, and most especially that of King Louis XV of France. The company was the official supplier of the King and Fargeon was also famous as the perfumer of Queen Marie Antoinette.

Since the beginning, the House received the royal warrant as the official supplier of toiletries and fragrances of the royal courts of France, Italy, England, and the Imperial Courts of Napoleon III,, and Russia.

The name of the house originates from ‘Oryza Sativa’, the latin name for rice which formed part of the ingredients for rice powder, make-up and wigs. The creams and powders that Fargeon created were also destined to be used by the eternally youthful and beautiful famous courtesan, Ninon de Lenclos.

Then in 1811, Louis Legrand took over the house as he understood its potential prestige. With its fragrant creations, he developed it to its full extent. Legrand led Oriza to its fame and set his boutique on the famous Rue Saint Honore in Paris. He created the most refined, the most exquisite and the most complex products. Legrand was a true fragrance artist.

Some time later Antonin Raynaud joined the house as an associate. Legrand then sold him the house, and he renamed it Oriza L. Legrand as a tribute to its first two owners and the story of the famous house of perfumes. The Oriza L. Legrand company successfully participated in international exhibitions and was regularly awarded prizes, from the bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867 to the Grand Prix in 1900.

L. Legrand created perfumes and cosmetics .. perfumed rice powders, soaps, soothing and hygienic creams, and lipsticks, including toiletries such as cosmetic vinegars, toilet waters, lotions beneficial for head and hair, concentrated flavors with which to perfume handkerchieves, sprays to scent apartments, draperies, or silk, as well flower sachet to perfume wardrobes, laundries, and lounges. Oriza Perfumery becomes one of the first to design a true perfumed line of endless variety.

In 1887 the company Oriza L. Legrand patented and produced the world's first solid perfume which was known as Essence Oriza Solidifiée. The whole manufacture, from the distillation and maceration of perfume ingredients to labelling, from soap making to grinding rice for powder, was concentrated in the factory of Levallois-Perret.

Concerned about the well-being of its employees and responsive to health and social issues of the population of Levallois, Antonin Raynaud built in 1888 a retirement home and hospital to accommodate the workers of Perfumery. The factory employed over 200 staff at the end of the 1800s. It ran at full capacity, and Raynaud put his financial means at the service of the house. He created for instance his own very refined packaging boxes. He also turned to Baccarat, who created bottles for prestigious editions. In spring 1890 Antonin Raynaud created a prestigious boutique at 11 Place de la Madeleine.

As its reputation for excellence progressed, Maison Oriza L.Legrand participated in World’s Fairs both at home and abroad. The highest distinctions reward the superior quality of its creations, thus confirming Oriza’s privileged situation within the luxury perfume industry. The 1900 Paris World’s Fair marks the brand’s coronation as it receives the Fair’s Grand Prize.

Maison Oriza L.Legrand’s display is described as follows .. “MM. A. Raynaud and Co presented Oriza’s L.Legrand’s perfumery products in a Louis XV style lounge, separated by elegant screens and decorated with antique pink and aqua green silk draperies. At the back stood two large showcases in lacquered wood and linked by a third, itself placed on a white-marble console. Pedestals supported flower vases on either side”.

Proud of its glorious past and eager to give new life to the alluring creations that made it famous around the world for four hundred years, Oriza L. Legrand still offers fifteen fragrances based on the original formulas, faithfully preserved in the company's archive. This challenging renaissance of the House of Oriza L. Legrand was accomplished with the help of French craftsmen and family businesses, drawing respectfully on the traditions of the Master Perfume Makers and the most noble raw materials. One may find these perfumes at their shop at 18 rue Saint-Augustin, in Paris's second arrondissement, as well as at select retail outlets around the world.

Of all French perfume makers, only the House of Oriza L. Legrand was chosen as“Purveyor to the Russian Court”.
In recognition of this honour, it developed a line of fine and delicate fragrances, of which the“Double Violettes du Czar” stood out for its unmatched quality, making it a favourite of the well-to-do and the Courts of Europe.

The violet of Nice, infinitely finer, more delicate, and more distinguished than others, married to the virile accents of pedigree Russian leather, balsam and amber, is less restrained than the words that describe it.

“Violettes du Czar” is an audacious perfume that will appeal to elegant men and women alike.

Top Notes are Violet Leaves, and Wild Violet
Heart Notes are Violet from Nice, Iris, and Heliotrope
Base Notes are Tolu balm, Leather, Amber, and Gaïac Wood

Offered here is a marvelous old flacon of the fabulous Violettes du Czar. It has retained its regal but delicate fragrance over the years, and it still smells wonderful. Highly collectible ..