Lilas by Guerlain c1875

Guerlain's Lilas, introduced in 1839, carries a name that immediately evokes the delicate and romantic imagery of lilac blossoms. The word "Lilas" is French for "lilac," a term that captures the essence of this fragrant flower renowned for its sweet, soft scent and vibrant colors. By choosing this name, Guerlain conjured images of lush lilac bushes in full bloom, infusing their fragrance with a sense of both natural beauty and elegance.

In scent, Lilas would be interpreted as embodying the light, airy qualities of lilac flowers. The perfume likely features a blend of sweet and floral notes, with the lilac providing a soft, powdery, and slightly green aroma that is both refreshing and subtly intoxicating. This would translate into a fragrance that feels both gentle and uplifting, capturing the essence of springtime in a bottle and evoking a sense of tranquility and grace.

For women of the early 19th century, a perfume named Lilas would have held significant appeal. This period, marked by a burgeoning appreciation for floral scents and an increasing desire for refined, sophisticated fragrances, would have found Lilas to be a symbol of grace and elegance. The lilac’s association with purity and delicate beauty made it an ideal choice for a fragrance intended to complement a woman’s elegance and femininity. Women who chose Lilas would have been seen as embracing a fragrance that was both stylish and gentle, reflecting the romantic ideals and aesthetic values of the time.

The 1839 launch of Lilas occurred during an era when perfumery was becoming more sophisticated and the demand for high-quality, complex fragrances was rising. The early 19th century saw a shift towards more elaborate and nuanced scents, with floral notes gaining prominence. Guerlain’s Lilas tapped into this trend, offering a fragrance that was both modern and timeless. The perfume not only catered to the tastes of its contemporary audience but also helped to define the future direction of luxury fragrances, establishing a precedent for floral scents in the years to come.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It was a lilac soliflore perfume. All types of Lilac perfumes were popular during the 19th century. Formulas for these perfumes appeared in several perfumery manuals and pharmacopeias during the period. These formulas were based on mixed blends to suggest the fresh odor of the lilac. Natural extracts, infusions, absolutes and tinctures would have been used early on, but as the 19th century drew to a close, newly discovered synthetics and aroma compounds such as vanillin, hyacinthin, coumarin, heliotropin, terpineol, Lilacine, iso-eugenol, Cyclosia, benzaldehydes and musk xylene may have been utilized. The general recipe included the following ingredients:

• Top notes: hyacinth, orange blossom, lilac, cassie, lily of the valley, bitter almond
• Middle notes: heliotrope, ylang ylang, rose, tuberose, jasmine
• Base notes: vanilla, tonka bean, musk, civet, orris

Bottle:

Presented in the "carre" flacon (parfum) used from 1875-1939. Holds 2/3 oz or 70cc.

photo by ebay seller voldenuit2

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown.