The art of perfume - Christie Mayer Lefkowith

Perfume bottles have been used since antiquity, but their history in modern times has been marked by the creation of exciting and original forms highlighted by equally elaborate presentations. Specially designed bottles and stoppers, labels, boxes and other unique decorative features endowed each perfume with an aura of distinction and exclusivity.;This illustrated survey presents many of the most striking designs, outlines the historical and social background to their creation, and reflects the talents of leading designers (Gaillard, Viard) and glassmakers (Baccarat, Depinoix, Brosse), as well as inspired creations resulting from close collaborations between designers and leading figures in the fine art world such as Paul Iribe and Georges Lepape. A passionate collector of perfume bottles for nearly two decades, Christie Mayer Lefkowith has pioneered the study of their history, which has now become a major area of interest for collectors. She traces the story of perfume from its e1itist days as a luxury product through to the development of a mass market in the 1950s.;With its research and analysis, over 200 illustrations in colour and a reference section listing over 500 major perfumers, designers and glassmakers, this book should prove to be of interest to collectors, to anyone interested in fashion and social history, and to designers of all kinds seeking imaginative inspiration.