Treasures of French perfumery
Quiver for Trésor et Magie by Lancôme
to Madame L. Colette D.
invited to the gala evening of the Bal des Petits Lits Blancs in Deauville 1955
t's a touching presentation, with the original (unpublished) papers slipped into the box, all designed by Georges Delhomme. Delhomme designed a quiver-shaped box containing two arrow bottles to symbolise the target of this gift: illness. Presented to guests at the Bal des Petits Lits Blancs in Deauville in 1955.
Sylvie Debacq, a graduate in museology from the École du Louvre and the École Art et Avenir in Restoration of Graphic Arts in Paris, tells us: "This is an authentic presentation. "The reddish patches are the result of natural ageing caused by the acidity of the cardboard support and the light in contact with the paper made from wood fibres". You shouldn't try to erase these marks of time from a box that has aged well and should be preserved with all its charm and authenticity", like a beautiful old person, I'd say!
Putto vengeur Rome, Villa Farnesina, Loggia di Galatea "The Triumph of Galatea", fresco by Raphael
(1513 - 1514)
Called the Quiver for Treasure and Magic, this presentation was created for a good cause, and in particular to support children suffering from bone tuberculosis. It evokes the attributes of the vengeful chubby putto aiming his arrow at the enemy. The enemy being the disease. This representation is often captioned "I am wary of the traitor".
Coupure de presse 1955
I'm a great admirer of Georges Delhomme and his work in general. With Delhomme, everything is well thought out, and all his creations are treasures imbued with a deeply intellectual magic. Trained as an engineer, he created some of the most prestigious perfume presentations of his time for Lancôme. He knew glassmaking and the secrets of art paper. He worked with all his talent, all the know-how that he established but which has not necessarily been perpetuated. And to crown this extraordinary character, he was a man of great humility.
28 Aout 1955 Deauville - Le Bal des Petits Lits Blancs
Maurice Chevalier - On the table, the Quiver boxes offered to guests by Lancôme.
Detail of the Lancôme Carquois boxes laid out for each guest on the table at the Deauville1955 gala dinner.
The Bal des Petits Lits Blancs is a charity created by Léon Bailby and Pauline Auguez, soprano and wife of Henri Lavedan, to help children suffering from bone tuberculosis. The first Bal des Petits Lits Blancs Gala was held in 1921.
Leaflet inserted in the book published for the XXVIIth Gala des Petits Lits Blancs
in Deauville 28 august 1955
Léon Bailby, journalist and founder of the newspaper "L'Intransigeant", organised the festivities himself at this luxurious charity gala, which was one of the most prominent attractions in French social life. Some time later, the concept was taken to the United States with the aim of nurturing Franco-American friendships through cultural exchanges. Her American counterpart, Elsa Maxwell, more precisely a 'gossip' columnist, worked for her organisation of the 'Bal April in Paris'.
The dinners and shows were always held at prestigious venues, such as the Théâtre des Champs Elysées and the Opéra Garnier, or in the most attractive regions of France, such as Cannes, Deauville and Monaco. Bailby, who organised the dinners himself, decided on the shows and the choice of guest artists, who were obliged to perform free of charge. Fernandel, Arletty and Mistinguett were among them. Bailby remembers that Tino Rossi had made "indecent" demands.
The gala attracts leading figures from the French and European aristocracy, business, diplomacy, the arts and politics. Presidents of the Republic have presided over the gala.
Interrupted during the Second World War, the event was relaunched in 1947. Bailby organised it as vice-president until 1953. The Bal des Petits Lits Blancs gala evenings continued for many years until recently, albeit with long intervals.
Book of the XXVIIème Bal des Petits Lits Blancs
Casino de Deauville 28 aout 1955
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