SAMPLE .. Caron, Or et Noir, 'Gold and Black', DECANTED SAMPLE from Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1949, 1989, Paris, France ..

In 1904, thanks to the genius of Ernest Daltroff, Caron established itself in the world of High Perfumery, opening its doors at 10 rue de la Paix, Paris. Ernest’s love for his colleague Félicie, was a constant and significant influence in his creations. Daltroff purchased the perfumery from Anne-Marie Caron and kept the original name. At the same time, he met Félicie Wanpouille, who became his partner and an important contributor to the rise of the house. While Daltroff created fragrances, Wanpouille designed bottles and served as an artistic director.

From the beginning, Parfums Caron was the house dedicated solely to fragrance, unlike houses like Chanel or Christian Dior that were first and foremost fashion houses. While the perfume houses produced more fragrances than fashion houses, by the 1920s women started to look at perfume the same way they regarded new fashion styles. However, as the couture fragrances became more and more popular, they provided a stable point in the ever changing world of fashion, but subsequently the pace of perfume production began to decline. Subsequently, however, Caron has burst back into the front runners of a very elite and niche market perfume business.

Launched in 1949, Or et Noir ... Black and Gold .. is a beautiful, opulent perfume, concocted with a sensual base of rose sprinkled with geranium, lilac, carnation, and deepened with oak moss. The nose behind this fragrance is Michel Morsetti, who created it in homage to Ernest Daltroff and the tradition of Parfums Caron. Ernest Daltroff was fascinated with roses and incorporated rose absolutes in nearly all compositions he has created for Caron.

"A fragrance that served as an inspiration for Parfum Sacré, Or et Noir is a dark rose on a rich base of spices and woods. The opening notes are of honeyed red rose blended with the astringent bite of geranium and bergamot. The sandalwood and black pepper provide a wonderful foil for the rich rose accord. Unlike most rose fragrances that start out bright and crisp and then proceed to warm up on the skin, Or et Noir reveals its sensual facets instantaneously. The darkness of Caron accord is like a breath of cool air that renders the sweet and spicy composition light and airy. I always think of Or et Noir as a rose before sundown, petals closing slowly to hide the unabashedly sultry opening.

One of the Urn Parfums, Or et Noir is available at the Caron boutiques as extrait de parfum. Its notes include Bulgarian rose, centifolia rose and geranium, Anatolian rose, lilac and carnation, oakmoss and woody amber. The bottle was designed by Félicie Bergaud.

Top notes are Neroli, Orange Blossom, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Bulgarian Rose, Rose Centifolia, Anatolian Rose, Geranium, Lilac, and Carnation
Base notes are Oak Moss, Sandalwood, Black Pepper, and Amber

"A truly gorgeous rose that has become one of my favourite scents. The opening is quite sharp, with the rose shining through clearly, but the perfume softens in the drydown to a rich floral chypre. I don't know what Caron puts in this scent to substitute for oakmoss these days, but whatever it is, it works. I absolute love it! Bliss for winter evenings, in or out, but also highly wearable in warmer weather. Perfumes of this quality are becoming quite rare, and although Caron is rumoured to be discontinuing Or et Noir, so far it's available through their boutiques." Basenotes Review. Red Rose.

"Deep, dark and luscious, Or et Noir is a classic rose soliflore destined for the lady who lives on the edge yet loves being the center of attention. Definitely not a rose for the blushing bride." Basenotes Review. Diamond Flame

"Or et Noir opens with big silage with a very authentic deep velvety red rose. One to two hours into the wearing I can more clearly detect rose geranium as a note. From a confectionary point of view, I agree it gradually develops from yummy Turkish delight (don't be afraid, it is not too sweet!) to the most equisite marron glacé, which is an absolutely delicious shift. Two to three hours into the wearing the silage is comfortable and more redux compared to the opening. Or et Noir is rumored to be discontinued in the nearer future, which is neither confirmed nor denied by Caron at the moment." Basenotes Review. Larimar.

Offered here is a the more modern version of this to die for perfume which I am selling in decants. One of my personal favorites!! Very hard to find nowadays. Rose, rose, rose .. ! This decant will be taken from this 'refill' bottle, one used to refill the Caron pillar bottles.