The Flacon Opaline, (bulle de savon opaline) produced between 1951 and around 1956, stands out as one of Guerlain’s most distinctive and luxurious creations of the mid-20th century. Conceived by the Cristal et Bronze company and designed by the enamelist R. Noirot, who worked from 1948-1956, the bottle was inspired by the popular French opaline cologne bottles of the mid-19th century. Those Victorian bottles, with their milky opalescent surfaces, bronze mounts, and gilded ground-glass stoppers, were highly prized for their decorative elegance. Guerlain’s version captured this nostalgic charm while updating it with a modern touch, decorating the glass with delicately enameled butterflies that danced across its surface.
Cristal et Bronze, renowned for producing garnitures de toilette of exceptional refinement, executed the bottle with the same artisanal precision for which they were famous. Their work for Guerlain highlights the house’s dedication to elevating perfume presentation into the realm of decorative arts. The bottle’s silhouette and embellishment evoked a romantic, antique sensibility, making it both a container for fragrance and a collectible object in its own right. The design harmonized beautifully with Guerlain’s aura of timeless elegance, bridging Victorian inspiration with mid-century luxury.
The Flacon Opaline was not tied to a single scent but rather served as a versatile vessel for Guerlain’s most celebrated perfumes, including L’Heure Bleue, Vol de Nuit, Mitsouko, Jicky, Ode, and Shalimar. In some instances, it even appeared without a fragrance name in the front cartouche, emphasizing its role as a universal luxury presentation. Available in three sizes—11.5 cm (4.53 in), 15.5 cm (6.1 in), and 18.5 cm (7.28 in)—the bottle offered variety for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Although produced only for a short span, the Flacon Opaline is a testament to Guerlain’s postwar creativity and its willingness to collaborate with specialized artisans outside the traditional glassmakers like Baccarat or Pochet et du Courval. Today, it remains a rare and coveted example of Guerlain’s artistry, blending perfume heritage with the decorative elegance of French enamel and opaline traditions.
Sizes:
- 11.5cm/4.53"
- 15.5cm/6.1"
- 18.5cm/7.28"
Bottles:
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Scents:
- Jicky
- L’Heure Bleue
- Mitsouko
- Ode
- Shalimar
- Vol de Nuit
