Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Faberge company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Faberge fragrances.


The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Faberge company how much we miss the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back your favorite perfume!


Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Aphrodisia by Faberge c1937

Aphrodisia by Faberge: launched in 1937.

Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as a sparkling aldehydic, slightly spicy chypre floral fragrance for women. Aphrodisia is the first of the Faberge fragrances and mirrors the mood of after-five elegance. It is rich, green and a little bit elusive. Warm, ambery oakmoss with green topnotes. 
  • Top notes: aldehydes, orange blossom water, Italian bergamot, neroli, Italian lemon and fruity note
  • Heart notes: carnation, jasmine, Bulgarian rose, Zanzibar ylang-ylang and honey
  • Base notes: Yugoslavian oak moss, vetiver, ambergris, civet and Tibetan musk
 

Aphrodisia was so popular that it was also available in a men's version. The difference between the men's and the women's is that the men's version is extra-dry while the woman's was more sparkling and full bodied.

 

 



Bottles:


Parfum:

The first Parfum flacon used for Aphrodisia in 1937 had a crystal bottle and a prystal Bakelite cap. It was available in two sizes. 





Daily News, 1937:
"Aphrodisia, a new and alluring perfume from Faberge, it is packed in a gold box with emerald green satin lining. The slender modern crystal vial that contains the haunting perfume fits  f=readily into any sophisticated handbag. Priced at $2 an $5."

Hartford Courant, 1938:
"Walter Winchell wrote "There's a new perfume called Aphrodisia and by golly it is." This new exciting perfume by Faberge of Paris, is being introduced by Dpris Ellis, 56 Trumbull St (opposite the Telephone Company) to local sophisticates who enjoy a blend of "the exotic" and "the sweet." Aphrodisia cologne is priced at $1.50 upward and the perfume at $2 upward - both in non-breakable prystal-top bottles."

The Indianapolis Star, 1938:
"Our pet-perfume by Faberge, Parisian jeweler to the Russian court, is now available in miniature at $1.25 (one dram). News indeed are these precious prystal-topped bottles..exact replicas of the regular $2 perfume and the $1.50 cologne whose worldly and provocative fragrance has altogether disarmed more people than just us. Ask for it, unabashed, by its naughty name - Aphrodisia."



A 1.5 dram sized vial was introduced in 1939, perfect for keeping in the purse. One tap of the finger to the top of the bottle releases a single drop at a time. The 1.5 dram leak proof vial was available in three different leather slip cases: for daytime - tailored kid skin in Fireman's Flame or Aphrodisia Green. For late afternoon - black suede with gold kid. For evening - white with gold kid.







Cologne:


The early cologne bottles were cylindrical and had straight sides. They came in sizes: 2 oz, 4 oz and 8 oz. These early cologne bottles are topped by translucent greenish yellow Bakelite/Catalin prystal screw caps. The 1937 ad above stated that the caps are indeed "prystal." I have had several of these over the years and held the caps under hot water and could definitely smell the distinctive Bakelite formaldehyde scent. 
 


 





Ancillary Products:


In addition to perfume and cologne, Aphrodisia was available in various bath and body products such as soap, dusting powder, talcum powder,  and bath oil.

Dusting powder was added in 1938. Body Duster (brush with powder) and Bath Oil Extraordinaire followed in 1939.


Daily News, 1939:
"Umm-mm! What is more luxurious than a refreshing tub or shower rinse-off in humidity laden warm weather? Nothing - except, as a final luxury touch to dust your body from tip to toe with a scented film of powder which combines the heavenly fragrances of well blended perfumes, eau de colognes and bath essences. The dainty little body brusher the pretty model in the picture is holding in her hands has a handle of transparent prystal crystal which, when filled with either "Aphrodisia" or "Woodhue" dusting powder, sifts down as you dust your skin through a top knot of fluffy goat's hair - SO soft! Because of the conveniently sized handle, which unscrew for refilling, you'll be able to reach your back without perspiratory effort - something that should please all of us would-be contortionists! So the brush will keep spotlessly clean and will not spot powder, the famous French house which markets this product has set it upright in a crystal support inside a transparent cylindrical canopy. With your purchase of this adorable, budget-priced brush and container you're given a powder refill which, we're told, is enough powder to last even the most lavish of us "dusters" a month. The body brusher referred to above is Faberge's Body Duster."









Fate of the Fragrance:


Discontinued in 1989 when Chesebrough-Pond's acquired Parfums Faberge.


Both the Perfume Purser and the Esprit de Parfum were discontinued in 1966.


1 comment:

  1. Do you know if this is the only fragrance that used the unique scroll letter styling for the Fabrage name? I recently picked up a rectangle gold-toned metal "bottle" with black enamel sides and top. It has the same lettering etched into the lid on front and back. The fragrance smells very similar to what you describe as the scent notes. Thanks for any info you may have!

    ReplyDelete