Friday, March 8, 2019

Maskee by Ciro c1923

Maskee by Ciro: launched in 1923.

Parfums Ciro was founded in 1921 in New York, at first obtaining all its fragrances from Gabilla in Paris, already bottled. These included 'Doux Jasmin', 'Chevalier de la Nuit' and 'Maskee', all issued in 1923.





Fragrance Composition:


So what does it smell like? It is classified as a floral fragrance for women, but I have no published notes on this composition, I need a sample to tell you what it smells like. The newspaper ads described it as "perfume of the carnival, a gay, reckless odeur".



Bottles:

Parfum Maskee was housed in a clear glass bottle in the shape of a clown. The milk glass stopper is ball shaped with a pointed hat which has been enameled in black. Paper labels represented the ruff collar around the clown's neck and three buttons down the front of the "suit". The bottle was available in two sizes: 5" and 8" tall. The bottle was presented in a black satin box with a stenciled clown in white.

In advertisements from 1924, the 2 oz bottle retailed for $5 and the 1 oz bottle sold for $2.50.






Hearst's, 1928;
"All the Ciro Perfumes — including Doux Jasmin, Bouquet Antique, and Parfum Maskee — are made, packaged, and sealed in France."












Fate of the Fragrance:


Discontinued, date unknown. It was still being sold in 1942.

In 2018, I was notified that Parfums Ciro had been resurrected and their website www.ciroparfums.com now offers fragrances. One such perfume is the once popular Maskee, recreated by Alexander Streeck.



From the website:
"The play of the masks ... a glittering celebration, joie de vivre and exuberance characterize the atmosphere, which is characterized by the colourfulness and eccentricity of the costumes. The roving gaze captures faces, faces alien and familiar alike, thanks to the magic of their disguise. He indulges in the splendor of the hidden, the pleasure finds in the dance around the question of identities, leaving unfulfilled curiosity behind ... 
MASKÉE is a seductress whose sensuality derives from her versatility: Exotic nectar sweetness of ylang blossoms meets precious, scarlet-velvety damask roses, powdery-majestic irises on beguiling jasmine of appealing creaminess. Heliotrope conjures echoes of marzipan, while delicious bourbon vanilla in combination with tonka bean provides vanilla-sweet moments. The base is made of soft musk and clean cedar, gently carrying the fragrance, which sees itself coquettishly ensnared by honey."



  • Top notes: ylang-ylang, Bulgarian Damascus rose, iris
  • Middle notes: jasmine, heliotrope, tonka bean
  • Base notes: honey, Bourbon vanilla, cedarwood, white musk





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