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Pitt Rivers Museum

2001.38.1.1

Glass perfume bottle [ .1] with glass stopper [ .2].

On display


2001.38.1.1

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Glass perfume bottle [ .1] with glass stopper [ .2].
Cultural groups
European
Person
Maker Chanel Ltd.
Field collector Unknown Collector
PRM source Sandra Peck
Date / Period
Date made: Circa 1970?, uncertain
Date collected
By 2001
Acquisition information
Donated: 2001
Materials and processes
Material Glass, Material Paper Plant, Material Plastic Synthetic
Dimensions
Length x Width x Height 90 x 54 x 23 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 2001.38.1.1 Accession number: 2001.38.1.2
Research and responses

'Chanel No. 5 was revolutionary in that it combined both floral and synthetic substances to provide a sophisticated contrast to the predominantly flowery fragrances of the early 20th C. It is thought that the great perfumer Ernest Beaux gave Coco Chanel several mixtures and she chose the fifth sample. Henceforth 'No. 5' became her lucky number. ...' Millers Perfume Bottles. A Collector's Guide, Madelaine Marsh, Millers 1999. p. 36. [JP 12/6/2001]

Associated publications
This object was featured in the Museum's on-line fact sheet ‘Body Arts: Scent’ produced during the DCF-funded 'What's Upstairs?' project, 2004–2006. [BR 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 8/11/2005] This object was featured in the Museum’s ‘web gallery’ (‘Selected Objects from the Lower Gallery’) produced during the DCF-funded ‘What’s Upstairs?’ project, 2004–2006, with the following caption: 'This clear glass bottle contained Chanel No. 5 perfume. In 1921 the fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel launched her own brand of perfume created by a perfumer called Ernest Beaux. It was called Chanel No. 5 because it was the fifth of several fragrances Ernest Beaux made for Chanel to choose from.

Search terms: Vessel, Body Art, Toilet, Writing, Bottle, Stopper, Toilet Article, Inscription, Body Art Accessory