The Flacon Eau de Guerlain (1974–1993) was a strikingly original design created by sculptor Robert Granai in 1973. Granai, who frequently drew inspiration from nature, history, and archaeology, conceived the bottle after studying primitive stone-age tools in the museum of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. In particular, he was captivated by hand-worked sandstone fishing net weights, whose irregular, rounded shapes and notched edges were both functional and evocative. This archaeological reference connects seamlessly with the fragrance’s theme, as the utilitarian tools were linked to water—an association that resonates with the very name Eau de Guerlain.
The resulting bottle is a sculptural work in itself: its clear glass body is rounded with softly irregular curves, featuring a deeply grooved central indentation that emphasizes both tactility and movement. This organic, stone-like quality gives the flacon an elemental character, as though it had been smoothed and shaped by time and water. The design captures the spirit of Granai’s artistic approach, where everyday or ancient objects were elevated into refined, modern forms.
Fitted with a matching gilded screw cap, the bottle was dedicated exclusively to Eau de Guerlain and was never repurposed for other fragrances. Its production was undertaken by several glassmakers: Pochet et du Courval created four moulds, while Saint-Gobain Desjonqueres contributed two, ensuring both technical precision and consistency in this unusual design.
Produced for nearly two decades, the Flacon Eau de Guerlain remains one of the house’s most distinctive modern presentations—a bottle that bridges the worlds of art, history, and perfumery while perfectly embodying the elemental freshness of the fragrance it contained.
Sizes:
Pochet et du Courval:
- Mould #23256 = 125cc/125ml/4.2 oz - 11.5cm/4.53" (1982)
- Mould #23258 = 250cc/250ml/8.4 oz - 16cm/6.3" (1982)
- Mould # 21043 = 500cc/500ml/16.9 oz - 18cm/7.09"
- Mould #7 = 1 liter/1000ml - 21cm/8.27"
Gold screw stopper with "Eau de Guerlain" on the top.
Saint-Gobain Desjonqueres:
- Mould #52105 (plan # 66490) = 125ml, base engraved "SGD" (1973)
- Mould # 52106 (plan # 66491) = 250ml, base engraved "Bottle Made in France - Guerlain - Copyright 1973 - SHD" (1973)
Bottles:
