L’Œuf Surprise stands as a masterful testament to Guerlain’s 160-year legacy of creativity and craftsmanship, conceived as part of the 2013 celebrations for the iconic Abeille flacon. The project brought together nine of France’s most esteemed Maîtres d’art from the Institut National des Métiers d’Art, granting them complete artistic freedom to create one-of-a-kind interpretations centered on a monumental one-litre Bee bottle. The result is an extraordinary series of objects that transcend perfume display to become collectible works of fine art.
Crafted by Fabrice Gohard, a Maître d’art of the 2010 class and a highly accomplished ornamental gilder, L’Œuf Surprise is a radiant homage to historical grandeur. Gohard’s expertise in water and oil gilding—evident on landmarks like the Château de Versailles, the Invalides dome, and even the flame of the Statue of Liberty—is here translated into a delicate blown-glass egg, its surface shimmering with gold-leaf accents that suggest the fragile brilliance of an eggshell just split open. This luxurious form evokes a sense of birth and transformation, echoing the imperial imagery of Empress Eugénie, whose elegance and sophistication inspired Guerlain for generations
The egg opens to reveal the one-litre Bee bottle nestled within, illuminated by the reflective glow of gilded surfaces. Inside the shell, a painted floral design adds an intimate, hidden layer of beauty, rewarding the most inquisitive observer with delicate artistry that speaks to femininity, refinement, and secrecy. The effect is simultaneously majestic and intimate, a private treasure housed within a public symbol of craftsmanship.
L’Œuf Surprise was displayed at the Maison Guerlain on the Champs-Élysées from December 10, 2013, to February 14, 2014, and further celebrated through Guerlain’s Exclusive Line Doors via photo and video exhibitions. Each of the nine unique creations was offered for sale to benefit the Maîtres d’art – Students project, an initiative designed to preserve and pass down exceptional artisanal skills to apprentices under the supervision of the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA). In every detail, from gilding to glasswork, this creation embodies both Guerlain’s dedication to artistic excellence and the timeless allure of perfume as an art form.
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