A 1921 advertisement describes a bottle of perfume, "It Holds a Rare Perfume and the name breathes of sweet scented gardens and pale moonlight. It is Firefly sent to us by the master perfumer Volnay from Paris."

Volnay is a perfume house founded in 1919 by the audacious House Of Lanvin mannequin - Germaine Madeline Duval and her fortuitous meeting with soon to be husband René Duval during a trip to New York.

René had worked for René Coty and this, together with a vision of sophistication and elegance by them both was the geneses of the new perfume house.

"The House Of Volnay created some of the finest presentations utilizing unusual names and eclectic styles inspired by exotic and romantic themes. Best known for the use of a pearlized finish on their perfume bottles, such as the one for Perlinette in 1925.
Julien Viard created some gorgeous flacons for Volnay. These bottles were manufactured by Depinoix.
Lalique manufactured some bottles for Volnay, including the ones for Gri-Gri, Chypre Ambre, Ambre de Siam, Violette, Mimeomai, Jardinee and Mousse Ambre."

Some of the more famous perfumes of Volnay:

1919 Cerny

1919 Violette

1919 Muguet

1919 Ambre de Siam

1920 Fleurs Vives

1921 Gri Gri

1921 Firefly

1922 Oeillet Kleber

1922 Mousse Ambre

1922 Mimeomai

1922 Yapana

1925 Perlinette

1927 Rosee Des Bois

1927 Un Gardenia

1928 Choses du Passe

1928 Soir d'Ete

1937 Cachucha

1937 Tres Francais

Unknowingly, Germaine Madeline Duval was the founder of a dynasty of passionate perfumers. Today they are her great-grandchildren - Muriel and Madeline Olivier, who are bringing Volnay perfumes back to life.

By reinterpreting the original essences, which were carefully preserved at the International Conservatory of Perfumes in Versailles, and infusing them with modernity without betraying their original character. Passionately immersed in this exquisite adventure, Olivier, a professional perfumer, knows his olfactory accords like the back of his hands. Muriel brings the refinement and elegance of the contemporary woman.

With their “nose”, Amelie Bourgeois, they remain true to the original fragrance while modernizing it and by carefully deciphering the five accords that furnish today's stylish and sophisticated woman.

Brume d'Hiver

A reassuring and warm fragrance. Constructed from the Volnay rose, «Rose Brumaire» - created by René Duval in 1922 – is a luminous and transparent pink rose which associates Oud wood and vetiver whose original accord combines femininity and masculinity. This is a spicy, woody fragrance that leads you into fresh scents of teak, combined with the exotic and sensual note of cypriol (papyrus). Rose Vetiver Oud.

Etoile d'Or

Irresistible. It is a journey through time. Recreated by respecting the original formula, it takes us back to the 1920s. The focus is on the Parisian chic of the early century. The Etoile d'Or perfume was designed for powerful people, for men and women of character. This oriental floral, much appreciated by perfumers of the past, is the way to become even more desirable. Jasmine, lavender, bergamot and suede.

Objet Céleste

A very modern fragrance with «electrical» chords of patchouli. It takes you away into a constellation of emotions. This is a light and sensual Cyprus, almond floral – stylish and refined, with beautiful oriental vibrations that emerge as if by magic. Almond, musk wood.

Perlerette

The historical scent of the Volnay house. Originally, the bottle was a nacre colored pearl, hence its name. Like a pearl, it is valuable and well-rounded. This is powdery floral magnified by a mosaic of tones. The powdery floral are enhanced with ambrette. This seed, from a rare variety of hibiscus, brings a remarkable fruity nuance. Its origins are mainly from South America where Germaine Madeline lived. Violet, iris, aldehyde.

Yapana

Name chosen by Germaine Madeline in memory of an aromatic plant in Latin America with medicinal properties, is a fragrance that makes you feel good. It is enveloping, warm and powerful. The combination of rare ingredients such as golden stone and gree vanilla gives the fragrance a strangeness and modernity. This oriental leathery scent, with amber notes, opens the doors of luxury and refinement. Ylang ylang, patchouli, vanilla.

All available from www.jovoyparis.com

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