Guerlain Perfumes: Flacon Capsule c1920-1971

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Flacon Capsule c1920-1971

The Flacon Capsule, produced by Guerlain from around 1920 to 1971, represents a specialized and utilitarian design within the house’s extensive repertoire of glassware. Created by the esteemed glassmaker Pochet et du Courval, this clear glass bottle was exclusively used to house Lotion Végétale, a hair dressing introduced by Guerlain in 1900. The flacon accommodated various scented formulations of the lotion, including L’Heure Bleue, Jicky, Shalimar, Mitsouko, Chant d’Arômes, and others, each offering a fragrant experience beyond the perfume line. Unlike Guerlain’s more decorative flacons, the Flacon Capsule was functional by design, emphasizing practicality while maintaining the quality and refinement associated with the house.

The original presentation, launched in 1920, was molded under #13257 and held 250 ml (8.4 oz) of lotion, standing 14.5 cm (5.71") tall. It featured a ground glass stopper covered with a metal cap that employed a bayonet fitting, securing the contents while facilitating repeated use. Packaged in a distinctive blue-banded box, the flacon underscored the exclusivity of Guerlain’s hair treatments and mirrored the house’s attention to presentation and branding. This version of the bottle remained in production until 1955, serving as a reliable and recognizable vessel for nearly 35 years.

In July 1955, Pochet et du Courval updated the design under mold #18452, modernizing the bottle to include a gold or silver metallic screw top in place of the original glass stopper and metal cap. The screw tops varied slightly in size, resulting in bottles measuring between 12 and 13 cm (4.72–5.2"), a modest reduction in height from the earlier version. Alongside the structural change, the labeling of the bottle evolved over time: the original newspaper-style label, in use for 46 years from 1920 to 1966, was replaced by a more refined oval label, reflecting mid-20th-century design sensibilities. This final iteration was short-lived, as the Flacon Capsule was discontinued after 1971, marking the end of a long-running and unique line of Guerlain hair care presentation.

The Flacon Capsule illustrates Guerlain’s ability to combine function and elegance, maintaining the house’s signature attention to detail even in a utilitarian product. Though less sculptural than its perfume counterparts, it remained an essential part of Guerlain’s offerings, bridging the decorative artistry of the early 20th century with practical innovation in mid-century product design. Today, it is appreciated both for its historical significance and as a rare example of Guerlain’s dedication to specialized, purpose-built glassware.

Sizes:

Mould #13257 = 250ml/8.4 oz- 14,5cm/5.71" ground glass stopper with metal capsule flacon, discontinued in 1955
Mould # 18152 = 250ml/8.4 oz - 12-13cm/4.72" -5.2" - (1955) new size and with screw cap