Eau de Cologne Impériale Bee Bottle from Guerlain, 1960

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Moulded relief bees highlighted in bright gilding encircle the cylindrical body of this large glass cologne flacon (stand not included, … Read more Moulded relief bees highlighted in bright gilding encircle the cylindrical body of this large glass cologne flacon (stand not included, for display only). Known as the flacon aux abeilles, the design was originally created by parisian glassmakers pochet & du courval to honour empress eugénie, wife of napoleon iii. The upper section features a rounded dome decorated with overlapping relief scallops, echoed on the matching spherical stopper, with narrow gilded bands framing the neck and base. A shaped rectangular cartouche on the front encloses the classic paper label printed in deep green and gold. It displays the french imperial crest, featuring an eagle clutching thunderbolts framed by laurel branches, alongside the designation for eau de cologne impériale. Each embossed bee on the clear glass walls is individually picked out in hand-applied gilt, creating a lively reflective texture when filled or displayed against natural light. Produced around 1960, this impressive 500ml format retains its ground glass stopper, neatly ground at the neck to ensure an airtight seal. The base of the vessel is moulded in relief with 'guerlain bottle made in france' around the outer edge, surrounding an original paper manufacturer's sticker bearing the guerlain logo and stock reference 'a13'. Displayed alongside a tiered, velvet-lined presentation plinth mounted with small applied glass bees, the bottle represents a substantial example of mid-twentieth-century french commercial perfumery glass. The glass is clear and free from clouding, offering an expansive display piece for collectors of historic fragrance flacons. See less