Details
PARFUMERIE CATALOGUE. -- Jean-Baptiste BRIARD and others (retailers). A 26-leaf catalogue of samples of packaging for scents and toiletries for men and women. [Paris: circa 1825].
Oblong 2° (325 x 453mm). 26 leaves, each leaf with (on the recto only) three-dimensional representations in watercolour and bodycolour of the packaging for about 290 products, most with their original printed labels mounted in position. Each product identified by a stock number and price code in red ink. Unbound within a contemporary green doe-skin folder (some soiling, extremities worn).
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL RECORD THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY IN PARIS DURING THE LATE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH-CENTURY. The Briard families connection to the parfumerie business appears to have started in the third quarter of the 18th century. By 1815 there are listings in the Almanach du Commerce de Paris for various family members as marchand-amidonier, mercier-parfumeur or marchand-parfumeur. It is known that J.-B. Briard moved the family business in 1824 from the rue Saint Victor to the 'Canal de Briarre', 189 rue Saint Denis. It would appear however that the move was not a success as he was declared bankrupt in 1828.
This catalogue is clearly intended as a guide to customers: it would have enabled Briard to present the full range of his wares in a compact and easily accessible form. The various jars, bottles and other containers are drawn with some skill although the artists understanding of perspective is occasionally a trifle naive. They are generally shown side-on and where the lid carries a label this is shown mounted above the relevant image. The labels are mostly engraved, either printed in colours or hand-coloured. A few are hand-coloured wood-cuts, two are original drawings and the two cushions are hand-coloured engavings printed on satin.
The range of goods available is impressive, and include a number of early dental mouthwash products, the goods illustrated include:
68 ointments, face creams and skin lotions.
82 types of soap (in cake, oil or powder form).
94 scents, eaux-de-colognes or eaux-de-toilettes.
13 moustache waxes or beard oils.
6 powders.
10 types of Melissa Cordial.
2 types of perfumed pastilles.
13 products for dental care or oral hygiene.
1 powder to ease tight shoes.
Oblong 2° (325 x 453mm). 26 leaves, each leaf with (on the recto only) three-dimensional representations in watercolour and bodycolour of the packaging for about 290 products, most with their original printed labels mounted in position. Each product identified by a stock number and price code in red ink. Unbound within a contemporary green doe-skin folder (some soiling, extremities worn).
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL RECORD THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF THE ACTIVITIES IN THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY IN PARIS DURING THE LATE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH-CENTURY. The Briard families connection to the parfumerie business appears to have started in the third quarter of the 18th century. By 1815 there are listings in the Almanach du Commerce de Paris for various family members as marchand-amidonier, mercier-parfumeur or marchand-parfumeur. It is known that J.-B. Briard moved the family business in 1824 from the rue Saint Victor to the 'Canal de Briarre', 189 rue Saint Denis. It would appear however that the move was not a success as he was declared bankrupt in 1828.
This catalogue is clearly intended as a guide to customers: it would have enabled Briard to present the full range of his wares in a compact and easily accessible form. The various jars, bottles and other containers are drawn with some skill although the artists understanding of perspective is occasionally a trifle naive. They are generally shown side-on and where the lid carries a label this is shown mounted above the relevant image. The labels are mostly engraved, either printed in colours or hand-coloured. A few are hand-coloured wood-cuts, two are original drawings and the two cushions are hand-coloured engavings printed on satin.
The range of goods available is impressive, and include a number of early dental mouthwash products, the goods illustrated include:
68 ointments, face creams and skin lotions.
82 types of soap (in cake, oil or powder form).
94 scents, eaux-de-colognes or eaux-de-toilettes.
13 moustache waxes or beard oils.
6 powders.
10 types of Melissa Cordial.
2 types of perfumed pastilles.
13 products for dental care or oral hygiene.
1 powder to ease tight shoes.