SAMPLE .. Coty, Ambre Antique, 'Old Amber', DECANTED SAMPLE from Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1905, 1995 Special Edition, Lalique, Paris, France

François Spoturno, originally from Corsica, studied perfumery with Antoine Chiris in Grasse for one or two years before moving to Paris, adopting a variation on his mother's name, which was 'Coti', and launching his perfume business with La Rose Jacqueminot in 1904.

Coty was one of the first to understand the importance of fragrance packaging, and more specifically a beautiful bottle .. "A perfume is seen as much as it is smelled", he said. His business expanded, eventually encompassing cosmetics and powders as well as perfumes, until he was one of the wealthiest men in France.

In addition to revolutionizing the packaging and marketing of perfume, Coty was also a respected perfumer. Among his many creations: L'Origan in 1905, Chypre, which was arguably his most famous scent, in 1917, Emeraude in 1921, Paris in 1922, and L'Aimant in 1927.

Ambre Antique was launched in 1905 by Coty. Pronounced "Ahm-ber ahn-teek", it was described as the "fragrance of splendour and conquest, the thrall of legendary queens.” Coty had his friend Rene Lalique create a fabulous flacon to house the precious perfume. Made up of frosted glass and molded with Grecian maidens, it is a gorgeous piece fit for anyone's collection.

After decades of discontinuance, the world was treated to limited-edition reproduction bottles of Ambré Antique which were reissued in 1995, under the license of Coty, by a company called Private Portfolio, which produced 3,500 Lalique-designed flacons of the fragrance that were then sold at the exclusive Neiman Marcus, Harrod's, and Bergdorf Goodman department stores. Each bottle holds three ounces and retailed at several hundred dollars at that time. These bottles alone are worth several hundred dollars to collectors today, not to mention the value of ones that have the perfume in them!

Ambre Antique is classified as an oriental fragrance for women. It is stunning, vibrant and alive.

Top notes are Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Peach, and Neroli
Heart notes are Heliotrope, Jasmine, Incense, Labdanum, Olibanum, Opoponax, Orris, and Violet
Base notes are Ambergris, Patchouli, and Vanilla

Advertising Copy, 1936 .. "As exquisite gifts, they convey a tribute to loveliness as delicately as a bouquet of flowers, but of unfading fragrance .. constantly renewing the charm of a rare and understanding compliment. Ambre Antique is the fragrance of ancient Egypt .. for the woman of enigmatic allure, incomprehensible, aloof.”

The Rose Sheet, 1995 .. "Private Portfolio .. a Benckiser subsidiary reintroducing the 85-year old Ambré Antique fragrance in limited edition. A total of 3,500 bottles of the scent, which will be available in late October in Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, will be produced worldwide. Ambré Antique is the first in a series of six limited edition offerings Private Portfolio will be relaunching from the Les Parfums Classiques de Francois Coty collection. The updated version of Ambré Antique is a "modern re-creation" of the original formula with "crisp top notes" of citrus and berries, a heart of rose and ylang-ylang and a "classic Oriental base," Private Portfolio says. The "faithful rendition" of the original flacon is etched with profiles of four women in flowing Grecian gowns.”

Offered here is the opportunity to buy a decant sample of this lovely fragrance. This is from one of the 3,500 bottles in the world. The bottle is etched with numbers underneath, showing that it is genuine. Smells wonderful!