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Friday, February 8, 2013

Eau Hegemonienne c1880

L'Eau Hegemonienne: Created in 1880 by Aime Guerlain, it was a personal favorite of Isabella II of Spain, the mother of Alfonso XII, King of Spain, for whom it was created, additionally, the succeeding generations of the Spanish royal family.  It appears to have been available to the general public by 1890 and was created to be a tribute to the hegemonic international alliances between the world's greatest powers.



Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It was an extremely light, fresh scent with lemon fruit as the main ingredient.
  • Top notes: bergamot and lemon
  • Middle notes: lavender, thyme, artemisia and herbs d'provence
  • Base notes: rosewood, sandalwood and vanilla

Country Life, Volume 11, Issues 280-286, 1902:
"Mr Guerlain of the Rue de la Paix with whom it is a pleasure to talk on these matters strongly advocates the use of eau de Cologne as a skin tonic a little of this aromatic water in our daily ablutions is not only invigorating but cleansing. But beware of a common quality for the face. For the bath or for frictions generally the quality of eau de Cologne is of less importance but where the delicate coating of the face is concerned employ only the best the very best that can be obtained. And can any eau de Cologne be better or purer or more delightful than the Hegemonienne Guerlain's Hegemonienne that our grandes mondaines value so highly. Many pretend that they owe the transparency of their skin solely to a good eau de Cologne and the strengthening of the muscles of the eyes to the daily friction with the fingers dipped in Hegemonienne." 




Bottles:


Presented in various flacons over the years: Flacon Abeilles, Flacon Plat, Flacon Carre Bas Forme, and the Flacon Republique Etui Carre. as well  as the Stilboide bottle.

















Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown, still being sold in 1941.

Relaunched in 2006 as a limited edition of only 150 copies. The bottle is known as the "flacon carre aux brocarts", the square bottle with "brocade", which refers to the gilded enameling on each corner. Each bottle holds 110ml of the Eau d'Hegemonienne fragrance. The presentation retailed for 700 Euros.






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