189 - Second Empire (circa 1858–1870), Exceptional and extremely rare “Parfums L. Legrand” presentation box, containing eighteen bottles

Second Empire (circa 1858–1870), Exceptional and extremely rare “Parfums L. Legrand” presentation box, containing eighteen bottles L. LEGRAND (Oriza), perfumer to the Emperor—Paris, Second Empire (circa 1858–1870)—Rare “Parfums L. Legrand” presentation case, containing eighteen bottles The fragrance of the court of Napoleon III and the Tsar, locked away: a display case from the heir to Marie-Antoinette’s perfumer, an exceptionally rare artifact of imperial perfumery. Rectangular box made of blackened wood, with inlaid brass trim, lockable (key included). The lid bears the inscription “Parfums L. Legrand” in gold Rocaille-style lettering. The underside of the lid is lined with paper bearing a gold inscription: “With the Coats of Arms of France and Russia—L. Legrand—Patented Perfumer to the Emperors of France and Russia—207 Rue St. Honoré, Paris.” The interior, lined with white paper, is divided into twenty-four compartments by a brass divider. It contains eighteen clear glass bottles with a rectangular cross-section, each with a glass ball stopper (some still covered with their original cellophane wrappers and tied with string). All bear their original printed labels reading “Perfumes … from the House of L. Legrand—Perfumer to the Emperor—207 Rue St. Honoré—Paris.” The labels list a veritable inventory of the fashionable perfumes of the Second Empire: Bouquet Napoléon, Bouquet West-End, Bouquet Caroline, Oriza Derby, Oriza Lys, Jockey-Club, Russian Leather, Spanish Leather, Fresh Hay, English Honey, Lily of the Valley, May Lilac, Woodland Lily of the Valley, Violet, Verbena, Reseda, Ylang-Ylang, Orange de Portugal. Box dimensions: 9 × 22 × 13 cm. Bottle dimensions: 6.5 × 2.5 × 2 cm. Incomplete: eighteen bottles out of twenty-four. Remnants of perfume and residue in several bottles; labels are stained and pitted; the interior paper of the box is sun-faded and stained; minor chips in the lacquer.