Le Présentoir à Secrets - was one of several special presentations created in 2013 to mark the 160th anniversary of the creation of the bee bottle, known as the Abeille flacon.
Guerlain commissioned nine “Maîtres d’art” of the Institut National des Métiers d’Art of France. Giving them full artistic freedom to create whatever they could envision to centre around a one litre bee bottle. The resulting incarnations are truly the epitome of one of a kind masterpieces.
The unique bottles were on display at the Maison Guerlain, 68, Champs-Élysées, from the 10th of December 2013 to the 14th of February 2014 and were showcased in photo and video exhibitions in Guerlain’s Exclusive Line Doors in 2014. They will be sold to help fund the “Maîtres d’art – Students” project, in which master artists pass down rare and exceptional skills to apprentices, overseen by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA). You can read more about the INMA online.
Ludwig Vogelgesang, Maître d’art – Class of 2010. A cabinet maker who specialised in the discerning restoration of luxurious antique Art Deco furniture, originally designed by such notables as Ruhlman, Groult, Franck. His exquisite taste and astute style is sought after not only by renowned interior designers, galleries and museums, but by discriminating private collectors as well.
Guerlain commissioned nine “Maîtres d’art” of the Institut National des Métiers d’Art of France. Giving them full artistic freedom to create whatever they could envision to centre around a one litre bee bottle. The resulting incarnations are truly the epitome of one of a kind masterpieces.
The unique bottles were on display at the Maison Guerlain, 68, Champs-Élysées, from the 10th of December 2013 to the 14th of February 2014 and were showcased in photo and video exhibitions in Guerlain’s Exclusive Line Doors in 2014. They will be sold to help fund the “Maîtres d’art – Students” project, in which master artists pass down rare and exceptional skills to apprentices, overseen by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art (INMA). You can read more about the INMA online.
Ludwig Vogelgesang, Maître d’art – Class of 2010. A cabinet maker who specialised in the discerning restoration of luxurious antique Art Deco furniture, originally designed by such notables as Ruhlman, Groult, Franck. His exquisite taste and astute style is sought after not only by renowned interior designers, galleries and museums, but by discriminating private collectors as well.
From Guerlain:
“Le Présentoir à Secrets” (“The Display Case with Secrets”)
This precious cylindrical sculpture unites two luxurious materials: ivory shagreen and brown rosewood. On its façade, the rare wood traces and outlines the honeycombs. A few small and painstakingly sculpted bees act as clever handles for hidden drawers that can be used to hide one’s treasures. Like crowns, two carved friezes adorn the base and top of this delicate piece. The imperial bottle reigns from the top of the case on a radiant shagreen tray.
