L’Œuf Surprise - 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
Fabrice Gohard, Maître d’art – Class of 2010. This highly skilled ornamental gilder learned the familial trade from his father. His lavish water and oil gilding adorn woodwork, balconies and gates. But his superb expertise is also featured on the opulent façades of the Château de Versailles, the magnificent dome of the Invalides and the respendent flame of the Statue of Liberty.
From Guerlain:
The nine exclusive works of art will be on display at the Maison Guerlain, 68, Champs-Élysées, from the 10th of December 2013 to the 14th of February 2014 and will be 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).
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
Fabrice Gohard, Maître d’art – Class of 2010. This highly skilled ornamental gilder learned the familial trade from his father. His lavish water and oil gilding adorn woodwork, balconies and gates. But his superb expertise is also featured on the opulent façades of the Château de Versailles, the magnificent dome of the Invalides and the respendent flame of the Statue of Liberty.
From Guerlain:
“L’Œuf Surprise” (“The Surprise Egg”)
Like a Fabergé, this is a majestic egg in blown glass whose gold-leaf gilding brings to mind an eggshell that has just been broken: an allegory of the imperial genesis, the bottle and its scent. Inside the object, the Bee bottle is enhanced and shimmers in the lustre of gold. The exquisite refinement of this egg shape is ensured by a floral design painted inside the shell, delivering its secrets to only the most curious of onlookers. Its grace and femininity pay a lovely tribute to the beauty of the Empress Eugénie.
The nine exclusive works of art will be on display at the Maison Guerlain, 68, Champs-Élysées, from the 10th of December 2013 to the 14th of February 2014 and will be 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).
