The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the history, beauty, and artistry of perfume bottles, compacts, ephemera and related vanity items. Perfume Passage Foundation seeks to educate and inspire visitors by illuminating the connection between perfume and the human experience.
|
|
|
The Story Behind The Deco Gallery |
|
The 1925 World's Fair in Paris was the inspiration behind the look of the Deco Gallery at Perfume Passage. The Rene Lalique display in the shape of a circular case was situated in the center of the Expo's perfume pavilion and the glass ribbons on top of the case symbolized a water fountain.
Lalique's fountain designs at either end of the Deco Gallery are immediately noticeable upon entering the room, and the breathtaking atmosphere of the Gallery transport you back in time to the most glamorous era of the 20th century.
The fountain theme continues throughout the room from the light sconces to the custom stained glass doors of the Gallery. Even the flowing water and ribbons of a water fountain appear as part of the design of the terrazzo floor.
Additional room inspirations were taken from the iron and copper grille called "Oasis" by Edgar Brandt. He designed the ornamental gates at the main entrance of the Paris event.
|
|
|
|
Stained glass doors of the Deco Gallery |
|
 |
Eastern view of the Deco Gallery.
The focal point is the display case exhibiting the DeVilbiss Glass collection.
|
|
|
|
Western view of the Deco Gallery.
The focal point is the display case exhibiting the Czech Glass collection.
|
|
|
|
Rene Lalique was a master of glass whose innovations in artistic style and technical production greatly influenced the Art Deco movement and forever changed the world of glassmaking.
An original display cabinet made by Lalique for the Oviatt building, a clothing store in Los Angeles, is located in the center of the Gallery.
James Zera Oviatt, an American haberdasher, attended the Paris Expo where he commissioned Lalique to fabricate the architectural glass, among other components for his planned California building. The structure was the first Art Deco styled building in the city.
|
|
Lobby of the Oviatt Building |
|
More than 30 tons of glass made for the Oviatt building were shipped through the Panama Canal and installed throughout the 12 story edifice. This is believed to have been the largest undertaking in the world for Rene Lalique.
The Oviatt structure was designed by the Los Angeles firm of Walker and Eisen. Construction began in August 1927 and was completed in May 1928.
|
|
Lalique case from the Oviatt Building built into the displays. |
|
Lalique designed and created the molded glass elevator door panels, front and side doors, chandeliers and a large panel clock, among other building components. The original showcase in the Deco Gallery displays a series of artifacts that collectively provide an overview of Lalique the artist, and his company. |
|
|
Le Parfum Des Anges, 3-1/3" x 2-3/4" bell shaped perfume bottle with an angel motif. It has patinated glass with a cross shaped stopper. It was made for the grand opening of the Oviatt building.
|
|
|
|
In the same angel motif, a Lalique, Cire Perdue Vase, Deux Figures Femmes Ailees circa 1922 on display. |
|
|
|
The Expo, whose complete name was "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes," (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) plays a major role in the Gallery's rotations of artifacts within different Deco themes. These displays include perfume bottles, compacts, purses and original artwork.
Works of art in their own right, the perfume bottles on display in the Deco Gallery demonstrate innovative designs and techniques that grew and evolved to reflect changing tastes, social norms and technical capabilities. These bottles tell a unique story of the early 20th century that continues to resonate with art and design today.
|
|
Bronze relief, woman carrying basket of peonies,
exhibited in the 1925 Expo.
|
|
The United States did not participate in the Expo. It was said that Herbert Hoover, the US Secretary of Commerce, declared that there was no modern art in the US. The Commerce Department did appoint a commission to attend the exhibit and they issued a report in 1926. The report stated that the US had misunderstood the purpose of the Exposition, and that some participation should have been arranged to honor the French-American wartime alliance. While the US did not have a pavilion at the Expo, hundreds of American designers, artists, journalists and department store buyers came to Paris to attend the event. |
|
|
|
|
His Cologne and other toiletries, 1940s |
|
The goal of the Deco Gallery has been to transport visitors through time as means of experiencing the ambiance and majestic beauty of the 1925 Expo.
It is our goal to have visitors:
- Feel inspired and stimulated by the Art Deco style of the room and artifacts.
- Learn about perfumes and vanity items and their artistic style of the time period.
- Experience the most glamorous era of the 20th century through perfumes and vanity items.
At Perfume Passage we hope to share the connections between perfume bottles and vanity items with the artistic and social trends of the time period.
|
|
All of the items in the Deco Gallery date from the 1920s through the present time. |
|
The showcase displays include:
- Robj Perfume Burners, Lamps and Porcelain Vanity Items
- Perfume and Vanity Novelties
- DeVilbiss Perfume Bottles and Vanity Sets
- Art Deco Style Perfume Bottles, Compacts and Mesh Purses
- Perfume Bottles and Jewelry Designed by Lalique, Tiffany and Baccarat
- Perfume Bottles and their Fashion Houses
- Czech Glass History and Perfume Bottles
|
|
The center of the Gallery features a woman's dressing vanity table, showcasing the makeup and beauty products of the time. The Art Deco era was about using luxurious materials, embracing the style and capabilities of modern machinery and turning regular objects in the home into works of art. |
|
|
Fisher and Elgin American Companies compacts and advertisements. |
|
|
|
Variety of DeVilbiss Perfume Lamps. |
|
|
|
|
The Deco Era gave rise and fame to Egyptian motifs and none other than Josephine Baker who was beloved in Paris. Here are various perfume burners, face powder box, atomizer and advertisement for the hair product BAKERFIX |
|
|
|
Treasures In The Collection |
|
Rene Lalique display case from the Oviatt Building |
Among the glass work Rene Lalique incorporated into the Oviatt Building, was the glass for this display case. It was found at "Off The Wall," an antique shop in Los Angeles. Being Lalique and from one of our favorite buildings in Los Angeles we acquired it knowing we would put it to good use at some point. It became the focal point of the design for the display cases of the Deco Gallery. And the original case now houses some of the Lalique collection in the room.
|
|
|
Some Facts About The Expo |
|
L'Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et industriels Modernes
|
- Closing date: October 1925
- Official paid attendance: 15,019,000
- Exhibitors: Over 15,000 from 20 countries
|
|
Cover of L'Illustration Magazine, June 1925 |
|
Continue to share our newsletter with your friends and encourage others to sign up! |
|
We noticed that many of our fans and friends are not receiving our newsletters as they have not signed up for it. We do not take the liberty to add anyone's email address without their interest or consent. Below you will find a link to add your email directly to our Constant Contact account.
We do not share, sell or distribute our email contacts under any circumstances.
Don't wait another day, please share our newsletter with anyone you know who may not be receiving it or would be interested in learning more about Perfume Passage. Click on the link below and stay in the know.
|
|
We Look Forward to Seeing You Once We Safely Open Again! |
|
|
|
|
Located in the Chicagoland area, the Perfume Passage Foundation is 38 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and 25 miles from O'Hare International Airport.
Types of tours include:
- Private docent-guided tours
- Group tours
-
Symphony of Scents and Sounds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
