Vonna, Chypre, 'Cyprus', 30 ml. or 1 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1936, Paris, France ..

Little is known about the perfume house called Vonna, as they faded into obscurity after the war. Perhaps one would need to travel back in time to be able to further pull back the curtain that shrouds Vonna. There is at least one related perfume I recall noting in the Encyclopaedia of Perfume, a self-titled Vonna, launched in 1936 plus a Cuir de Russie.

On a label affixed to that Vonna Cuir de Russie bottle was a badge that reads 'Produits de Scientifique de Beaute de Vonna, Cachet de Garantie'.

History tells us that in 1926 the very similarly named Academie Scientifique de Beaute was born in Paris. The company, which is still family owned to this day, was founded by the French pharamcist Georges Gay, and they claim to have opened the first scientific beauty academy to train aestheticians in 1928.

"Chypre is a formula built around earthy patchouli and loamy, smooth oakmoss plus labdanum. Labdanum is a richly fragrant lichen-like substance that was first combed from the hair of goats who picked it up grazing on the Mediterranean rock-rose shrub. The patchouli is refined and sublime without any of the spikey, sinus penetrating fumes. This base is rounded out by the classic harmony of citrus against a floral. The rose begins dusty pale; the bergamot was shy at first but it bloomed thanks to a muggy evening. The leather has a savory/creamy tang similar to goat's milk and under it all is a surprisingly familiar musky finish." The Vintage Perfume Vault

This beautiful Chypre, launched in 1923, is warm and dry and built around a woody, mossy accord of bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum or cistus. There are strong elements of flowers, fruits or woodiness, with a sweet powdery dry down that leaves one with a warm feminine floral note. While there are no notes for Vonna on the Internet, the construction will be something like this ...

Top notes are Bergamot, Neroli, Orange Blossom, and Ylang Ylang
Middle notes are Rose, Jasmine, Oak Moss, Labdanum, Anise, and Coriander
Base notes are Bay Laurel, Pine, Sandalwood, and Almond

Offered here is a charming sealed bottle of Vonna's Chypre in the one ounce size.. I have seen these appear from time to time and have sold bottles in the past with good reviews. A nice way to try a 'chypre' perfume at a slightly lesser cost ..