The Flacon Canard, or Duck Bottle, is a whimsical yet exquisitely refined creation designed by Jacques Guerlain around 1914. Standing 9.4 cm tall, the flacon presents an amphora-shaped body of green glass, carefully modeled to evoke the standing form of a duck. Its gently curved, smooth contours capture both the grace and solidity of the bird, while the vibrant green hue imbues the bottle with a sense of freshness and vitality. This playful, nature-inspired design reflects Jacques Guerlain’s enduring fascination with integrating the beauty of the natural world into his perfume presentations, transforming a simple container into a work of art with striking visual presence.
The stopper and wings of the duck are crafted in bronze, a luxurious and durable material that contrasts beautifully with the luminous green glass. The bronze is finely worked, capturing the intricate texture of feathers in miniature, demonstrating an extraordinary attention to detail. This combination of green glass and warm bronze creates a harmonious and refined color palette, highlighting the house’s meticulous craftsmanship. The bottle stands as both a functional perfume container and a small sculptural objet d’art, blurring the boundary between utility and artistic expression.
The original perfume intended for the Flacon Canard remains unknown, and it is unclear whether it was a limited edition or a private commission. Only a few examples survive today, making it exceptionally rare and highly prized among collectors, valued as much for its artistic ingenuity as for its historical significance. Its creation at the dawn of the 20th century places it squarely within a period fascinated with decorative arts, when perfume bottles were conceived as extensions of beauty, elegance, and personal taste, rather than mere vessels.
Jacques Guerlain, a passionate enthusiast of art and history, is believed to have drawn inspiration for this design from antique works, including the porphyry eagle vases of medieval craftsmanship. The realism of the Duck Bottle, from the fluidity of its glass curves to the meticulous feathered bronze detailing, speaks to an extraordinary mastery of both form and execution. It is not only a rare collector’s item but a testament to Guerlain’s visionary creativity—a fusion of artistry, luxury, and the house’s signature elegance, securing its status as a standout achievement in perfume presentation.
Jacques Guerlain was a great art and history enthusiast, this bottle and it is certainly inspired by an antique vase of porphyry, "eagle" Suger.
This bottle was undoubtedly made for a private commission and can be considered a work of art in its own right as its implementation is realistic and exceptional.
