Guerlain Perfumes: Flacon Borne (Boundary Stone) c1931- 1960s

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Flacon Borne (Boundary Stone) c1931- 1960s

The Flacon Borne (Boundary Stone Bottle), produced from around 1931 into the 1960s, is one of Guerlain’s most distinctive and architectural perfume presentations. Made by Pochet et du Courval, the design was intended for Guerlain’s most prestigious extraits, including Shalimar, Mitsouko, Jicky, L’Heure Bleue, Sillage, and others. Its form was inspired by the stone boundary markers that lined the roads of France, a fitting symbol for Guerlain’s role as a guiding landmark in the landscape of French perfumery.

The original version, introduced in 1931, held 82 cc (82 ml / 2.7 oz) of extrait and measured 10.5 cm (4.13") tall. Crafted in clear glass, the flacon was strikingly ornamented with a bold cobalt blue enamel band running down its center, a vertical accent that emphasized the bottle’s strong geometry. The stopper added to the originality of the design: a ground blue glass piece truncated into the shape of a French policeman’s cap (képi), lending the bottle a distinctly modern, masculine touch that contrasted with the softness of the perfumes inside. This juxtaposition of strength and refinement made the Flacon Borne a memorable and collectible design of its era.

During World War II, the bottle underwent a simplification. The wartime version was produced entirely in clear glass, with the cobalt blue enamel band omitted, likely due to shortages of materials and the general austerity of the period. Even without its colorful accent, the bottle retained its powerful architectural presence, reflecting Guerlain’s ability to adapt its luxurious presentations to the realities of the time.

The Flacon Borne thus represents both stability and adaptability within Guerlain’s history. Its bold, columnar form made it instantly recognizable, while its variations tell the story of the house navigating prosperity, war, and recovery. Today, it remains a striking example of Guerlain’s collaboration with Pochet et du Courval and a cherished collectible that embodies both Art Deco modernism and mid-20th-century resilience.

The original version: with a blue band and stopper, base molded with "Guerlain - Paris - France", and fitted with red, white and blue paper label, and matching cardstock box covered in red, white and blue paper.

The version made during WWII: with a clear glass band and fitted with the black, white and red Marley horse labels identical to those on the "Guerre Flacons." Housed inside of the blue "temporary" design box.

Sizes:

Pochet et du Courval produced one mould:

Mould #14738 = 82cc/82ml/2.7 oz - 10,5cm/4.13" (1931), ground blue glass truncated stopper in the shape of a French policeman's cap.
World War II Version, all clear glass, without cobalt blue band, clear round blown glass stopper.