Christian Dior - Diorissimo 1959 First Prize Floral Contest London | ||
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Posted 13 years ago
flowerrose
(23 items)
I bought this just recently.........I am so in LOVE! Such a shame it's been damaged at some point, but I still love it.
Haven't been able to find any information about the perfume show/exhibition - ANY ONE KNOW??
1959 London - First Prize - Floral Contest. I think it might be one of a kind?
I have contacted House of Dior to see if they know anything about it. Bottle is by Baccart.
Now I want a perfume shop to display it in!
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Thanks Bellin68! Yes I felt very lucky to have found this! Wondering if I should investigate repair work? Bit scary that one.
Great idea! I need to get rich so I can open a store and put it in a display stand just as you walk in.
Thank you Scandinavian-pieces! Yes I love Dior too - I have yet to try Diorella but would love to smell that. I love the original Miss Dior bottle too! Yet to add that to my collection! Hope you have a good day.
Hi, flowerrose! I keep thinking about this remarkable trophy you've found. You are certainly talented at uncovering treasures! Some notes about this piece:
"Floral" is a fragrance family - in contradistinction to, e.g., "Oriental" or "Chypre".
Diorissimo was introduced in 1956. This bottle style was featured in an ad that appeard in French Vogue, September 1956. You can see the ad and this bottle style here: http://paperpursuits.com/advault/addetail.cfm?catid=27&subcatid=68&adid=4434
You can also find this bottle style, I seem to remember, in Christie Mayer Lefkowith's book.
May I ask, can you please confirm that the date on the trophy reads "1959" and not or "1956"? Is there an exact date on the label, say September 8, 1956, for example?
I think that this is perhaps an award granted by the perfume or fashion 'industry' for the best 'floral' (category of) fragrance reviewed, presenting, or launched that year. (Obviously, if the trophy reads 1959, and the date's not a blooper, its not for the perfume's debut, nor likely for a review.) I am very eager to see what Dior reports! It's certainly an impressive piece! In the interim, if you get curious, you might try googling the London papers of Sept. 1959 for reports on perfume awards, Dior awards, fragrance or cosmetics 'exhibitions'. My apologies if this seems obvious - have been up most of the night thinking about the state of the evidence on the Doniphan painting. Have thought about this trophy several times during the night. And about your remarkable loot. I tip my hat to your good taste and hunting skills! Regard, miKKo
Hi, FYI - to save you trouble of reduplicating efforts: Found no hits in National Archives UK, and was advised to try London Metropolitan Archives. Working LMA now.
Yes, this would be a one-off piece. Really remarkable.
WOW miKKo you are a legend!!!! I just came across your comments!!! For some reason I can't tell when someone comments on one of my pieces.
Yes it reads 1959 on the bottle. I have been doing some research on this piece - I LOVE IT SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH and I contacted the perfumer who originally made the perfume (well his son because he is dead now) and he is on the case in france (bit of language barrier). But I DID FIND OUT that the name Diorissimo was trademarked - filed for - in the USA by House of Dior on the exact same day on the bottle. So my guess is that they held off venturing into the American market with Diorissimo until they knew the outcome of this contest?? Some people have suggested it could have been a trophy for a florist contest - but having found out about the filing of the trademark on the same day - I personally think it was a perfume contest. I have done as you suggested with typing in all kinds of variations on the theme but so far naught except for the TM Date. And like you - I agree on the perfume contest - as a trade contest in the industry.
Baccart and perfume bottle in 1956 like you said.
TROPHY READS: "Diorissimo" de Parfums Christian Dior First Prize - Floral Contest. London September 10, 1959.
Thank you for your kind words about my taste!! I love finding treasure.
Wow, flowerrose, you are dangerous! So, you found the perfumer's son, did you? Fabulous!!! Well, then, I bet you this mystery will be substanially resolved! I can hardly wait.
Thanks much for verification of the exact date! That will help greatly.
Most interesting about the date of the U. S. patent application! Hmm....
You know, I find it very odd that we've not yet found evidence in the London papers of the event at which this trophy was presented, or evidence of the award itself. Dior, who died in 1957, was the most influential fashion designer of the late 1940s and 1950s. After stating this 'influence' dictum, "Design Museum" adds that Dior "defined a new business model in the post-war fashion industry by establishing Dior as a global brand across a wide range of products." (http://designmuseum.org/design/christian-dior) Interesting. By the way, the Design Museum's piece on Dior was fascinating - not your usual entry; I enjoyed reading it!
Yes, when I couldn't find evidence of this award by googling it, I also considered the unlikely possibility that a London flower show might have been the venue for presentation of this trophy, though I didn't have any success with that search string either.
Well, must run or I'll be late. I just had to respond to your generous greeting! Regards, miKKo
Thanks miKKo - yes I have been looking up flower shows too - so far no luck! I will read your link! Yes the perfumer's son was very surprised to see it too! No news from House of Dior to date. Will keep researching :-)
p.s I haven't started on newspapers or magazines yet! A tad daunted.
Hi, flowerrose. It was of course an excellent idea to contact the House of Dior. However, one doesn't always get a response to inquiries, so I was delighted to hear that you had found the perfumer's son. Super! I am eagerly awaiting the results of your wise inquiries. In the meantime, I have an idea to kick around. I think that you are perhaps a lot younger than I - I'm 53. In my teens, I attended an academy in the downtown of a large city, and after school, I would wait for the public bus to take me back to the suburbs. I used to catch it and miss it outside a large, fine department store - next to the fragrance and cosmetics section. In inclement weather, I would wait inside, and wander through the fragrance counters. I remember seeing there a number of huge factice bottles of the most distinguished French fragrances. I have been thinking - what if there were originally an award given on Sept. 10, 1958 in London to Dior for "Diorissimo" as best 'Floral', and this award were a one-off, but that the trophy inspired an issue of replicas or similar trophies, which were distributed in places that sold Dior fragrances? In other words, what if this is an advertising piece, say, distributed to boutiques that sold Dior and/or fine department stores, e.g., Saks Fifth Avenue? It's just a thought - that I've tolerated occupying my mind because of a perceived 'delay' in Dior's response....Can't wait until you hear from Dior. Regards, miKKo
Hi miKKo! Yes I am a little younger about to turn 40 eeeeeeeekkk!!
That's very interesting to hear - your trips to escape the cold. And yes I was thinking along the same sort of lines - I wondered about Harrods or Fortnum & Masons in UK. I really do think it was some sort of floral category of perfume competition because of the TradeMark being lodged the same day - they waited to see how they would go in the contest before deciding to launch into the US market - I agree that because of the 'trophy' it must have been on display - either in a shop window or at an exhibition/fair?
I get so impatient and cross my fingers that one of them get back to me!! I might try email Harrods and Fortnum Mason next.
Hi, flowerrose! Just reporting that I have had no hits for this yet. Still looking! Hope you have a splendid week! Regard, miKKo
Hi miKKo - thank you and to date no more hits for me either! I am still looking too. I will crack this one!
Hi, flowerrose! Thanks for the update. I am confident that you will solve this difficult puzzle. Hope you have a splendid weekend! Regards, miKKo
Hi, flowerrose. Update: When neither I nor the Librarians at the UK National Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives could find a reference to this most elusive item, I sent an SOS to the British Library. A most generous Reference Librarian there searched a database that captures some of the London papers from that era, "UK Press Online". No hits. She reported that the best known, 'operational' (vs defunct) perfume award is awarded by The Fragrance Foundation. The address for the UK group is: http://www.fragrancefoundation.org.uk. Librarian notes that this group did not begin to issue awards until the 1970's. You might try emailing them. Surely it would fascinate them, too.
I have three more suggestions. I see that Roja Dove has a facebook page. You might ask him. (I am allergic to facebook.) Secondly, the person I've encountered most likely to be able to identify this is the learned and very well-connected Kenneth Leach of Gallery 47 in Manhattan. He deserves his illustrious reputation - indeed. Third, Cleopatra of Cleopatra's Boudoir might be able to discover the answer to this mystery.
I'm cheering you on from the bleachers!!! Regards, miKKo
Hi miKKo - Thank you very much for these leads!! I will email them! I know that Cleopatra has mentioned this bottle before in a blog post as one to dream about but not own because they are all now in museums.
I will email them all and let you know how it goes - better some better photos too!
UPDATE: Only 60 of these bottles were made for the Diorissimo launch. (Unsure yet if more made after the launch?) and Dior himself presented this at his salon on Avenue Montaigne.
The original packaging for Diorissimo was in Pink & Grey Tones packaging - inspired by his childhood home in Normandy. Apparently Diorissimo was his lucky charm - his fragrant soul.
A link on http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Dior/Diorissimo-224.html shows advert from 50's of original bottle & the book "Perfume Legends - French Feminine Fragrances" by Michael Edwards shows the original packaging for the general public.
p.s the link - the picture is under the PICTURES sign under the main accords floral notes - the man with flowers covering his face.
p.p.s Yes I have previously contacted Ken Leach through the perfume auctions - and he said it was very unique but didn't know about the contest.
Thou art a fine detective, indeed, oh flowerrose! I can't wait to see what you discover. I would also save the comments of Kenneth Leach if you still have the email. He is a scholar, aesthete, collector of perfume bottles and of people. He is a trusted and discreet broker, and he is very well connected. If he said that your trophy was 'very unique', that is excellent testimony! Hooray!!!
Thank you very much for the link on the packaging. I used to wear Miss Dior and Diorissimo, and I remember the bottles being beautiful - not like they are now, and the boxes being attractive, too. One of the boxes was houndstooth check with an oval on face. I don't remember the oval being mauvy - pink, but it might have been. The last time I wore Diorissimo was in the '80's, and Miss Dior in the '90's. Regards, miKKo
Good morning, flowerrose and scandinavian_pieces! Hope you have a splendid day. Thank you very much for your kind comments, S_P! Good to see you around and at play again. How is Louis?
Hi scandinavian_pieces & miKKo - I am glad you are enjoying following this piece! Yes the boxes used to be houndstooth pattern another of his favourite fabrics. The pink/grey packaging was earlier than the houndstooth. He also used the houndstooth on his Miss Dior glass bottle - which is still in use today. A very pretty bottle that one! I am hoping to get Diorissimo for my birthday present.
If I had the money and could understand international mail I would also have this: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/11610510_christian-dior-diorissimo
Hi, flowerrose. I hope you win the beautiful Dior flacon in the provided link; it will make a fine companion for your signature flacon. Beautiful bottle - happy birthday in advance!
Wasn't disputing the boxes - just indulging in some nostalgia. Diorissimo is a very feminine fragrance, very special. It brought back memories. Is it your favorite scent?
I am writing now because we have exhausted so many options, and I want to put all my suggestions on the table. There is one other fragrance scholar I can think of to ask. Her name is Christie Mayer Lefkowith. Yes, she is the author of "The Art of Perfume, Discovering and Collecting Perfume Bottles", which I've recommended to you before (sorry - 'not again'!). She is also the author that the Lalique firm chose to write a monograph on Rene Lalique on the 150th anniversary of his birth. "The Art of René Lalique flacons and powder boxes"/"L'Art de René Lalique flacons et boîtes à poudre". She is a fine scholar, an aesthete, extremely well connected, and is a native of France. Her resume is too long to relate here - she and Kenneth Leach are at the summit. She might be able to help. She did treat this bottle in her "The Art of Perfume...". She might also be able to tell you how many of these bottles were issued before another flacon style was substituted. Her email is: mayerlef@gmail.com, and her website is http://www.mayerlef.com.
If Ms. Lefkowith isn't able to assist you, since you are familiar with the U.S. Patent Office database, it would perhaps be worth your while to find out which U.S. firm represents the patent rights of Christian Dior fragrances in the USA. (I'm guessing that they'll probably be New Yorkers?) You could email or call them; maybe both would be needed. Would take finesse, but I know you could do it. If it's a family firm, perhaps someone will take the trouble to consult the archives.
Of course, there's Baccarat, but I assume you've already contacted them....
There's also the fragrance or perfume museum in Grasse, France....
Finally, there's the trophy itself. NYC is full of associations that specialize in, say, buttons, and they'll have the most extraordinary information about buttons. What about trying to locate someone so expert in trophy production that he is considered an artiste - one in London and one in NYC. You might explain to him/her that no one else has been able to assist, and that he/she is probably one of your last chances to resolve this matter. Also, I assume there are no markings on the bottom of the base, but have you tried removing the metal label and examining it on the back? Perhaps there is a signature. I should think that there might well have once been a signature somewhere.
Well, that's that! Hope you have a great evening. miKKo
WOW miKKo what great advice and leads! I will get onto all these all well !! The trophy idea is a fabulous one!! Actually I haven't consulted Baccarat yet - amazingly enough - I will though. And all your other leads too.
Diorissimo is fast becoming on of my favourite scents - I like the EDT version. One of my favourites is "Alchemie" by Rochas which isn't made anymore but I still love it - especially in Winter as it's so warming. I also like Couture Couture for when it's sunny! I think I like Diorissimo the best out of the Dior range.
I will let you know how I get on with those leads. I also read about a Congress of Perfume last night in my book - I forget the name now - but will let you know their name.
I haven't been able to find an email for the Museum in Grasse - they only have a phone number I can track down and I don't speak French! lol. I'm going to email Christie now. :-)
Hi, flowerrose! I've been thinking, since you haven't contacted Baccarat, you might not have tried IPBA, the International Perfume Bottles Association? Both Kenneth Leach and Christie Mayer Lefkowith are members - and many others. They have multiple reference resources and links, and offer a number of other opportunities for you to continue your search. Cost for you - 55 USD annual membership. Membership Benefits include:
The Perfume Bottle Quarterly (PBQ): This publication, among other things, features rare and unusual items, and offers a classified ads service.
Annual Directory of IPBA Members, with names, addresses, and phone numbers.
IPBA Annual Convention. This is a prestigious event - and international in scope.
IPBA Lending Library. Web Site with Members Only content. Monthly E-News.
Another resource IPBA lists is the perfume library of IPBA Archivist Helen Farnsworth, available for $25 on CD. I think that Farnsworth would be an excellent contact for you. Here's a link to that page:
http://www.perfumebottles.org/news_and_reviews.html
Online resources for non-members include a virtual museum of perfume bottles. I didn't find your bottle there, but think you'd like to see the Baccarat Dior they do have. They are very similar to your 'face' bottle:
http://www.perfumebottles.org/virtual-museum/11/baccarat/501/baccarat-miss-dior-diorama
IPBA has a link to a perfume group in Grasse, France (not the museum). 'Linked-in Perfume Bottle Group', led by Frederic M. Thibaud (Grasse) - free membership.
http://www.perfumebottles.org/resources.html
They also link to CFM Gallery, which has a factice gallery. They have your 1956 ltd ed. Baccarat bottle - full, undamaged, NOT MOUNTED ON TROPHY, and provide a value of $6,500.
http://www.cfmgallery.com/Factice-Objet-Jewelry/Perfume-Factice.html
There are many other links on IBPA site.
Secondly, the Musee International de la Parfumerie in Grasse France has many English interfaces. It would be easier if you could read French, but you could access much without any knowledge of French, and you could contact them via email in English.
http://en.museesdegrasse.com/infos_legales/accessibilite
Happy hunting!!! Regards, miKKo
WOW miKKo you are a legend! I can't keep up!!
That undamaged bottle is valuable!! I paid NZ $250 for mine.
Ken commented on the damage on mine but I personally don't mind the damage, I could get it restored but that makes me nervous!
I am going to go through your links one by one.
I haven't heard from House of Dior or Ms. Lefkowith yet.
Yipppeeeeee we will master this miKKo!!!
Keep going you two, I am on the edge of my seat. I want to know!
Greetings, flowerrose and AmberRose! Hope your Saturday is splendid!!! Thanks so much for your good cheer and kind words!!!
flowerrose, you have good judgment. You sensed that this flacon trophy was desirable, and I think that because of your good judgment, gracious manners, and determination you will eventually find the answers you seek.
Re the damage to the bottle, yes, it does matter. It does reduce the value. However, this trophy might well be one of a kind, and that factor will increase its value for many. It is certainly valuable as it is. I might have sounded overbearing when I counseled you before to save Kenneth Leach's email, but it was only because I was so excited that I didn't think about the fact that I hardly know you. Sorry! I wanted you to save evidence I knew would enhance the value of your bottle. You never know, one day you might want to sell this. If this were my bottle, and I had decided to sell it, I would ask Kenneth Leach to be the broker. As I said, he deserves his sterling reputation.
I, too, prefer the Diorissimo in EDT. It is such a rich fragrance that a little goes a long way. I am excited - I've never experienced "Alchemie", nor Couture Couture for that matter. My favorite scent is the old parfum formula for Je Reviens, and I like 4711 cologne as well. I have been dying to purchase a sealed bottle of the OLD formula of Vent Vert by Balmain, but never justified the expense. The fragrance - both old and new formulations - has been discontinued, and I might never experience it....
Best wishes to you both!!! Regards, miKKo
While researching Winston Churchill's cat (yes funny I know) I happened upon this interesting link about a Dior Exhibition in Moscow - Russia.
http://www.canada.com/sports/organization/Vancouver+Canucks/Dior+legacy+display+lavish+Moscow+exhibit/4683422/story.html
The interesting bit for me was "Christian Dior’s relationship with luxury-loving Russia, which he visited in 1931 during Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s reign — a rare trip for a foreign designer".
"Alchemie" is yummy, but now a discontinued fragrance. I have a bottle with about 3/4 left in it and am hoping to stumble upon some more cheap in an auction somewhere. Fingers crossed.
I will keep my eyes out for you for sealed Vent Vert over here - sometimes people sell things here in NZ not knowing what they are.
Yes the EDP of Diorissimo is very strong.
Ken said because of the damage it wouldn't be suitable for one of his auctions (before I bought it I emailed him a picture of it to see if I was making a wise decision) but I am not sure if that means he wouldn't still broker it - NOT THAT I WOULD PART WITH IT FOR YONKS!!! at least not until I solved the mystery. I also got the impression that Ken thought someone had just liked the bottle so much they made it into a trophy. But I didn't agree with that summation. I believe there is a story around the performance of that perfume tied to that actual trophy bottle.
I think the damage affects Ken's ability to target the kind of market he has for his perfume auctions. And yes it does decrease value. I would be too nervous to let someone attempt to restore it - what if they stuffed it up!! lol. eeeeekkkkkkk.
But I am pretty new to all this!!
Hi AmberRose :-)
What I think may have happened with my bottle is someone may have discovered how valuable it was as a bottle and attempted to dislodge it from the wooden base and dropped it in the process snapping it at the base.
Hi, flowerrose! Thanks much for your gracious response!
Which of Winston Churchill's cats, please? He seems to have had a complicated relationship with cats, but he was fond of at least two that I know of. (I know very little about Winston Churchill!, but I have been fascinated by his close relationship with animals - dogs, swans, pigs! I remember reading of one cat that drove him bonkers - cat would ignore him.)
RE the article you just found, I was most struck by the same thing you were. Uncle Joe Stalin was a most unusual man. What was he up to here? Was Dior designing the Communist uniform?
Once again, flowerrose, you show superb judgment - consulting Kenneth Leach from the first. You would have to ask him, but I think that Mr. Leach's criteria for inclusion in one of his auctions is more restrictive than his criteria for brokering. Last year, I sold Mr. Leach four 1930's sealed Worth perfume bottles in original box. A very rare ensemble, with seals, labels, hangtags, and rare bottles. I have never seen another one of this set. I have seen only one similar, and that in the most recent book by Christie Mayer Lefkowith. The set was very rare, but nowhere near the $25,000 range. He was magnificent - I cannot think of anything he could have improved. If you ever decide to sell your bottle, I would ask Mr. Leach or Ms. Mayer Lefkowith to broker it. They have a wide audience.
Thank you so very much for your kind offer to scout Vent Vert!!! Most kind of you! Please don't go to any trouble, however.
Well, I've got to get back to work. Happy hunting!!! Regards, miKKo
Sir Winston Churchill's cat Jock III. A rather chubby Marmalade. And how funny that one cat snobbed him and drove him crazy. That's really funny - I can see how it would have drove him bonkers. I have a tray with Jock III in the middle and other cats around which I am not sure if they are Winstons - I'll have to post it. Ones like "Pickles of Blickling Hall" "Octavia from Wallington" and "Maddie from Trelissick Garden".
And as for what Dior was doing in Russia - well that is fascinating. I loved when you said making their communist costumes. Probably not - but if he did - now that would make a fascinating movie!!
Ms. Lefkowith kindly replied to my email and mentioned the Chelsea Flower Show and also mentioned that Perfume Houses often (still today) gave away perfumes as prizes although she didn't know of this particular contest.
I know they give out medals & trophys at the flower show so it will be interesting to see if they present other prizes. There was a Show in 1959 but I have yet to find the exact date. Here is a link to 2010 prizes....yet to discover 1959 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Media/PDFs/Shows-exhibitors/2010-RHS-awards-list
Hi, flowerrose. Thanks for info on WC's cats. Love it!
When I tried flower shows, my first thought was the Chelsea Flower Show, but I didn't find anything there by googling it and the date. When I tried it, I had no idea that perfumes were awarded as prizes! I was just desperate. There is a reference to the 1959 show ("1959 The Times ‘Garden of To-morrow’, complete with radio-controlled lawn mower is debuted.") in the linked Wikipedia article provided below. The exact date range of the most recent shows are given - days in May, but not of the earlier shows. However, it shouldn't be hard to find the dates. Congratulations! You might well have found the solution!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Flower_Show
I have emailed them to ask if they have a list of prizes from 1959. I do recall looking into them when i first started and vaguely recall that the show wasn't in Sept that year. We'll see what they come up with!
Apparently the Queen went that year http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/horticulture-chelsea-flower-show-london/Memory/a2063168-6a63-4415-bccf-a00a0164dac4
still looking for exact date.
Hi, flowerrose. Do you think that it could have been awarded at the first year of NAFAS?
http://www.surreynafas.org.uk/about-us.html
Hi miKKo - Interesting!! It could have been but I wonder if it is Surrey based if they would have put 'London' on the Trophy. I would guess that it would be Chelsea Show over Surrey because of the bottle.
Still searching :-)
Hi, flowerrose! Go get 'em. I know you'll do it! Regards, miKKo
Thanks miKKo - sometimes I think I should just sleep with this item and it all might be solved a heap faster - sometimes I do get interesting dreams about things!! I'll touch it before I go to bed and see what happens - maybe I'll tune into 1959
Well no dreams - but Guerlain finished SHALIMAR in 1921 but held onto it till 1925 when he introduced it at the ART DECO EXHIBITION where it won FIRST PRIZE. So they did have exhibitions where they gave out prizes for perfumes. (at least they did in 1925!) so I am still convinced that this is what this bottle is rather than a floral show because it was trademarked for america on the same day.
Still hunting!
Hi, flowerrose! You will eventually find the solution. What about asking a research librarian at the New York City Public Library who has expertise with patents. New York Librarians are superb. You could explain your search and your inferences to her. I'm cheering you on, and hoping you have a splendid fragrance to splash on this evening. Regards, miKKo
Beautiful piece with such mystery attached! I'm guessing (as others have noted above) that it might have been mounted to commemorate Diorissimo winning a Floral category in Perfumery that year. Still, it would be great to know WHAT the competition was, and if other such trophies exist from the same event/ year.
I just don't seem convinced it was commemorating a flower show, somehow.
:)
Hi VolDeNuit - yes I agree about the flower show. I am still researching this piece in my time off as I too want to know the story attached to it and yes if there are any other trophies.
Fingers crossed!
Wonderful - you now have me very intrigued, and I shall let you know if I happen upon some bit of information that may help :)
Hi, flowerrose! Hope your Sunday is a fine one.
Since you have not recently reported any advances, I offer a suggestion. Recall when I asked the British Library for assistance when neither I nor the Librarians at the UK national archives and the London Metropolitan Archives could find a reference in the papers to this event? Well, the British Library Librarian searched a database that captures some of the London papers from that era, "UK Press Online". There were no hits, you recall. What about targeting the papers that aren't captured on "UK Press Online"? Wouldn't be an easy task, but it might prove fruitful : ) miKKo
Hi miKKo - yes I kind of ground to halt as you noticed. Newspapers scare me. But thank you for your suggestion because I know it's a good one - I will add it to my To Do List and when I get courage venture into the newspaper world. My father has some old newspaper womens magazines in the garage and I am going to haul them out and go through them too. Dust bombs!!! I don't think they are British but am not sure - they should be interesting!
Maybe I will pray for Divine Intervention on this one.
Hi,
I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this, as I adore Diors original Diorissimo,..
Now then to this bottle, it was created by Baccarat for Dior in 1956 & the bottle was designed by Christian Charles & ONLY 60 were ever produced. The flowers are made out of bronze & hand guilded in real gold & are meant to represent Diors favourite flower which was the lily-of-the-valley, (yet I have never seen the resemblance).
I have one ( which I still don't quite believe is mine) you have one, so just think, there are only 58 or less of these beautiies out there! Where ever did you find yours?
I believe this may have been given to the breeding winner of a rose, which, if memory serves was later called Christian Dior which was produced in the late 50's ( so your dates almost fit!!!) it is a hybrid tea, a huge highly scented red classic chocolate box rose. Have a look at this link http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/2288/ Though the date on this link could be incorrect.
The bottle you have is far far to rare to have been given AFTER a rose called Christian Dior was bred/named or for a lesser competition & it is worth pointing that these bottles were sold in the late 50's for in the region of $1,000 & they were housed in glorious huge boxes. This was the kind of gift bought only by the very richest people in society, a few were famously bought as wedding gifts & a few given to various Royal families & film stars scattered around the world.
I would have the Dior museum look into this, for if this IS the winning trophy given to the breeder of the Christian Dior rose then ( even with damage) it is priceless.
Do keep me informed, I love a good mystery.
It may even be worth you getting in touch with Baccarat who may be able to carve a new foot for the bottle? But the bottle is missing the golden beaded rim to the foot, which would have had this bottle fit the wooden stand perfectly.
And if there is anyone out there with a box for one of these bottles then please let me know
XX
Sam
Hello Sam,
WOW thank you so much for all your information! I will follow up the leads you send - and how exciting you have one too! Fabulous - where did you find yours? I found this online in a NZ online auction from a Hospice in NZ - they didn't have much information on it - who's it was etc.
I attempted to contact Baccart but no reply to date - will try again and the Dior Museum - I tried Dior but no response.
I do not know the what the golded beaded rim foot looks like. I wondered how it was atttached to the wooden base. How exciting - off I go to email people.
Thank you so much for all your help!!
(p.s I saw the beautiful pink presentation boxes - one for Brigette Bardo in one of the DIOR perfume books.
Hello, would you be able to send me other photos of this bottle? I think I could give you very interesting informations about this limited edition. (I've been in charge for 13 years of the Christian Dior Museum). Many thanks in advance
Hi floralparty,
I could take some more photos - what exactly do you need?
This perfume bottle is listed on pg 171 in Commercial Perfume Bottles by Jacquelyn Y. Jones-Jones, Third Ed. with Values. Plate 595, A deluxe Crystal presentation flacon by Baccarat with the gilt flower stopper arrived in America in 1956 holding the perfume “Diorissimo” by Christian Dior (8”)
Hi,
Too many years ago to count I wrote to you regards your fabulous Diorissimo parfum bottle. Did you ever have any luck finding out anything more about it? & did you ever have any luck getting a reply/help from Baccarat or the Christian Dior museum? For I now have another damaged bottle, I have been thinking of selling it, it could be good for a replacement foot ")
Kindest regards
Samantha
Hello Samantha,
I didn't have much luck with Baccarat or the Dior museum - I did send in images of the trophy to them both. I haven't checked in on this page in AGES!!
Hi,
What a lovely surprise to open my email this morning to find a message via CW from you, it has been years, & I hope you are well. This is the first time I have logged into Collectors Weekly since last I wrote to you.
Did you ever contact "floralparty" who wrote 2 years ago that she had been in charge of the Christian Dior Museum for 13 years?
I too wrote to Baccarat regards another broken identical bottle but never heard a word back, but there are a few traditional glass makers in the USA who can replace damaged pieces, again, I have heard nothing back. I will send you photos of my near perfect boxed bottle & the broken one I have, I have thought of selling the damaged bottle, I saw just the golden floral stopper sell for a small fortune on eBay a year or two back..so we should try to fix yours
Hi
Are you selling the bottle of Baccarat?
Hi,
This is in reply to Danielsanti2606.
Many thanks for your interest, & yes, I would consider selling, but it has been valued at a substantial figure, I am trying to add photos, but it is not possible, here is a link to the identical item
https://www.google.com/search?q=Dior+Diorissimo+baccarat&client=firefox-b-d&sxsrf=APwXEdftYLQI2BtkpMPtiyx5li-jrXdBqQ:1682682508354&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCjLjpwMz-AhWGi1wKHc2QB4wQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1600&bih=757&dpr=1.2#imgrc=DV26YOWhSesadM
Mine is in the original (though faded box)
Kind regards
Carson
Hi, if i let you my number can we talk about it privately on whatsapp ? It’s +393404248174. I’m really interested but i need to understand more about the bottle and the price. Thank you for your quick response.
hi,
Apologies for late reply, I have been unable to contact you via whatsapp, what country are you in, & I presume this is your phone number 404248174, Kindest regards,
Hi, I’m from italy, my phone number is 3404248174, the country calling code is +39 or 0039 and then my number (3404248174), try that first but if you are having problems just email me (danielle.santi26@gmail.com). Thank you.
Hello?
I think we are having problems communicating, i answered your e-mail but i got no response, maybe you can try adding me on facebook, my name is Daniel Nunez Santillan and I’m from Rome.
Hi Daniel,
I must apologize, I thought I had replied, I was hoping you would get back to me.
I will try to contact evening if that is OK with you.
Kindest regards, Samantha
Yes it will be ok, thank u, I’ll be waiting
Hi,
I must apologize, I only arrived back home a short while back, & it is too late to phone you now, I will do so tomorrow, what is the best time to phone? Kind regards, Samantha
Dont worry write me when you want, add me on facebook it will be more easy to chat and talk, youll recognize me by a photo of me looking at the sea. Kindest regards