The Briar Stopper flacon is one of René Lalique’s elegant designs for Coty, first introduced in 1911. The bottle is characterized by its tall, clear glass body with a square base, a simple yet refined form that provides a perfect showcase for Lalique’s signature artistry. Its most distinctive feature is the frosted glass stopper, molded in a delicate “briar” motif, which lends a sculptural flourish to the otherwise clean-lined flacon.
Originally, the Briar Stopper was intended to house Eau de Toilettes, but its design proved so versatile that it was later adapted to accommodate a range of sizes, including miniature versions for parfum. Among the most collectible is the “Petite Modèle”, which debuted in 1936 and held 0.27 oz. Early 1920s packaging reflected Coty’s emphasis on elegance and care: the boxes contained printed messages advising owners that “These exquisite crystal flacons are hand-cut in the Paris ateliers of COTY – Care must be taken in placing them on the dressing table to avoid breakage of the corners.”
The Briar Stopper flacon was produced in an impressive array of sizes, ranging from tiny 2-inch miniatures (0.13 oz) to grand 8.75-inch showpieces. Other sizes included 2.5-inch (0.27 oz) Petite Modèle, 3-inch (0.60 oz), 4–4.25 inches (1.70 oz), 5–5.5 inches, 6–6.25 inches, and 6.5 inches, culminating in the 8.75-inch tall flacon. After 1920, production shifted to Coty’s own glassworks, allowing the design to be reproduced more widely while retaining the elegance of Lalique’s original concept. The Briar Stopper remains a celebrated example of early 20th-century perfume bottle design, admired for its clarity, sculptural stopper, and versatility across a range of perfume types and sizes.
Sizes:
- 2" tall miniature (0.13 oz)
- 2.5" tall miniature (0.27 oz) - Petite Modele
- 3" tall (0.60 oz)
- 4" tall
- 4.25" tall (1.70 oz)
- 5" tall
- 5.25" tall (3 oz)
- 5.5" tall
- 6" tall
- 6.25" tall
- 6.5" tall
- 8.75" tall
This rare set of three “eau de toilette” Briar Stoppered flacons, created for Coty in 1911, comprises elegant colorless glass bottles that are blown, molded, and lightly patinated to enhance their refined early 20th-century character. Each flacon features the distinctive briar-motif stopper, adding a sculptural touch to the otherwise simple cylindrical form. The trio is preserved in its original leather case, sized 12 × 11.5 × 4.5 cm, with each bottle standing 11 cm tall, making this an exceptional surviving example of Coty’s early luxury presentation sets.
