Fleurs Precieuse by Caron c1910

Fleurs Precieuse by Caron: launched in 1910. Contrary to contemporary belief, Precieuse was not an individual fragrance in itself but was a line of three floral fragrances by Caron called Les Fleurs Precieuses. It included: Violette Precieuse, Rose Precieuse and Jacinthe Precieuse. Ernest Daltroff lent his expertise to the creation of these precious fragrances. In a 1913 ad, it states that they were presented in "artistic opaque bottles."

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like?  I have no published notes on these fragrances. I would need samples.

• Top notes:
• Middle notes:
• Base notes:

Bottle:

Conical amphora type perfume bottle of pressed molded, bluish opalescent glass, its shoulders are molded with stalactites or icicles which continue down the sides. The early Caron bottles seemed to feature this icicle theme, which you could also seen used on the unique bottles for Parfum Radiant and Rarissime.  

The bottle is fitted with an opalescent glass stopper,  molded in the shape of an ancient Egyptian scarab. The name "Caron" is molded into the neck, which also features molded floral design, and then painted with gold enamel. The bottle was designed by Julien Viard and produced in France by both Cristallerie de Pantin and Cristal Romesnil. The bottle measures 6" long.  

The bottle could also be found in amber colored opalescent glass as well as an unusual marbled opalescent glass in amber, blue, pink and green tones. It is also possible to find the bottles without the molded neck. I believe that these different colors were used to differentiate the different Precieuse floral odors. Jacinthe was probably in the yellow, Rose in the pink/amber/blue/green, and Violette in the blue.

It was housed in an oval shaped poplar wood box, covered with gold leather. 

 

 

Also came in amber shaded opalescent glass.

Opalescent glass bottle. This model is exceptional and rare with its different marbled, amber, bluish and green tones.  

Other bottles included the "curved square" colorless crystal flacon with the stopper molded with the name Caron. This bottle is regarded as a standard model as it was used for various Caron fragrances. The bottle approximate height is 3 1/4 inches tall and about 3 inches wide.

Violette Precieuse was available in two sizes for the Parfum (extrait), as well as face powder, Lotion (hair groom) and Eau de Toilette. Rose Precieuse was only available in one size for the Pafum (extrait), but was also available in face powder.

A rare bottle was made by Baccarat. 

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Out of the three known Precieuse scents, only Violette lasted to 1937. It was discontinued, most likely due to the outbreak of the Second World War. It was reformulated, repackaged and relaunched in 2006. However, by 2011, it was withdrawn from production. 

The newer edition from 2006 has the following notes:

• Top notes: violet leaf, violet, iris and orange blossom
• Middle notes: lily of the valley and jasmine
• Base notes: vetiver, nutmeg, sandalwood and raspberry

 How much it resembles the original 1913 version, I cannot say as I haven't had the fortune of obtaining a sample of the antique scent. The original version was most likely based on a blend of ionone, violet leaves and orris root to mimic the violet odor. Other notes known as modifiers would have helped to round out the fragrance to make it seem more natural.