Gold Tone Purser Flacon (1937)

The Purser Flacon is a compact and practical design introduced by Coty in the late 1930s, ideal for carrying in a handbag while retaining an air of elegance. The flacon itself is made of clear glass, but its most distinctive feature is the protective gold-tone metal case, which shields the bottle while adding a touch of luxury. Both the base and the cap of the case are accented with colorful plastic, providing a vibrant contrast to the gold and clear glass and lending a modern, Art Deco flair to the overall design.

The Purser Flacon was offered in several of Coty’s signature fragrances, including Chypre, L’Aimant, L’Origan, Paris, and Emeraude, making it a versatile and collectible item for those who wanted a portable version of their favorite scents. The flacon appears in the 1937/1938 Coty catalog, confirming its place within Coty’s broader strategy of producing elegant, functional, and visually appealing miniature bottles that combined practicality with stylish presentation.

Neptune Green Packaging (1935)

In 1935, Coty unveiled a striking new packaging design known as Neptune Green, a creative departure that brought an undersea motif to the forefront of the brand’s presentation. The line’s boxes, talc and bath salts, and dusting powder canisters were finished in a soft seafoam green, accented with air bubble details and rosy starfish motifs to evoke a whimsical, oceanic theme. This imaginative design aimed to capture the freshness and elegance of the sea, creating a visually distinctive identity for Coty’s mid-1930s toiletries.

The Neptune Green packaging encompassed a range of products, including toilet waters, bath salts, dusting powders, and talc, and was applied to several of Coty’s most popular fragrances: Styx, L’Aimant, Emeraude, L’Origan, Paris, and Chypre. The bottles themselves were crafted in satin-finished glass, each molded with subtle bubble details that echoed the oceanic theme of the packaging. This combination of tactile glass design and visually thematic boxes reinforced the luxurious, yet playful character of the collection, making Neptune Green a memorable and collectible example of Coty’s mid-century innovation in perfume and toiletries presentation.

Obelisque Flacon (1930

The Obelisque Flacon, introduced in 1930, is a striking example of Coty’s elegant and architectural bottle designs of the early 1930s. The flacon is tall and slender, giving it a refined and stately presence on a dressing table. Its most distinctive feature is the flat, square frosted glass stopper, which is molded with stylized foliate motifs and bears the COTY name in each corner, combining branding with decorative flourish in a sophisticated Art Deco style.

The Obelisque flacon was used for several of Coty’s leading fragrances, including Styx, Paris, Chypre, Emeraude, L’Aimant, and L’Origan, allowing the elegant design to unify multiple scents under a consistent visual identity. In addition to the standard sizes, a miniature version holding 0.34 oz was also produced. This smaller bottle featured a scale-patterned stopper, echoing the design motifs used in Coty’s Lilas Pourpre and Louvre packaging, creating a cohesive link between different lines and reinforcing Coty’s attention to decorative continuity.

Overall, the Obelisque flacon reflects the 1930s trend toward clean geometric forms, luxurious detailing, and thoughtful integration of branding with design, making it both functional and highly collectible. The flacon was discontinued in 1937.

Peacock Presentation (1935)

The Peacock Presentation, introduced in 1935, marked a vibrant and decorative chapter in Coty’s packaging innovations. This limited-edition ensemble was distinguished by a peacock feather motif adorning the exterior boxes, while the bottles themselves featured stylized peacock eye designs, reflecting the period’s fascination with exotic and ornamental themes. The overall effect was both luxurious and visually striking, lending a sense of elegance and drama to the perfume line.

The bottles were produced in three sizes to suit different needs: purse, travel, and boudoir, allowing for versatility in both personal use and display. This presentation was applied to several of Coty’s most celebrated fragrances, including Chypre, L’Aimant, L’Origan, Paris, Emeraude, and Ambreine, making the line cohesive while emphasizing the visual identity of the peacock motif.

By 1937, the lineup had been slightly reduced, with Emeraude and Ambreine no longer included in the Peacock Presentation, as evidenced in the 1937–1938 catalog. Despite this change, the peacock-themed design remains a memorable example of Coty’s mid-1930s approach to combining artistic packaging with collectible appeal, showcasing how decorative motifs could enhance the presentation and desirability of luxury perfumes.

Yellow Mimosa Packaging (1935)

In 1935, Coty introduced a striking limited-edition presentation for its floral perfumes, featuring mimosa prints on bright yellow backgrounds. This decorative ensemble was initially applied to a selection of Coty’s signature florals: Muguet, Iris, Oeillet France, La Rose Jacqueminot, Heliotrope, La Jacee, Lilas Pourpre, and Violette Pourpre. The cheerful, nature-inspired motif provided a fresh and elegant seasonal update, while reinforcing Coty’s reputation for stylish, collectible packaging.  Two sizes were available: 0.5 oz and 1 oz.

 

 

Metal Flip Top Case Purse Flacon (1934)

The Metal Flip Top Case Purse Flacon, introduced in 1934, represented a stylish update to Coty’s portable perfume offerings. Moving away from the earlier “coffin-style” cases of the 1920s and early 1930s, this new version adopted a sleek, modern rectangular silhouette. The case was finished in a gold-tone metal, though surviving examples often show wear to the gilding from years of handling. Its most distinctive feature was the flip-top lid, accented with a strip of black Bakelite that added both visual contrast and a touch of contemporary sophistication.

The construction was practical as well as decorative. A hinge on the left side allowed the lid to lift smoothly, while a small deep-red tab on the right served as the release mechanism—pressing it caused the top to spring open, revealing the perfume bottle nestled inside. The front panel was engraved with Coty’s logo, giving the case an elegant, branded finish. Measuring approximately 2.5 inches tall, 1⅜ inches wide, and ⅝ inch thick, it was perfectly sized for a handbag or evening purse. The case was invented by August Mitchell and produced by the Scovill Manufacturing Co., a longtime maker of quality metal goods.

Inside, the accompanying bottle was deliberately simple. Made of clear glass, it echoed the earlier banded-style flacons in its clean, unadorned form. The stopper provided the decorative flourish—molded with a stylized floral motif typical of the 1930s. The base was molded with “Coty”, indicating production at Coty’s own glassworks. The bottle held ¼ ounce of parfum and was offered in fragrances such as Emeraude, L’Aimant, L’Origan, and likely others.

Altogether, this presentation blended functional design with modern materials, offering a practical yet fashionable way to carry Coty’s most-loved perfumes.

Other packaging:

Arched Crystal Flacon (1930)

The Arched Crystal Flacon, introduced in 1930, was one of Coty’s more sophisticated Art Deco presentations and stands out for its refined architectural styling. The bottle was designed with a flat, arched profile, giving it a graceful silhouette that felt both modern and luxurious. Its gently curving form was complemented by a distinctive stepped glass stopper, a geometric detail typical of the early 1930s that added height and visual rhythm to the overall design. Crafted in clear crystal, the flacon captured light beautifully, emphasizing the purity and elegance Coty aimed to convey during this period.

This presentation was issued in two sizes—1 oz and 1 5/8 oz—and was used for several of Coty’s most important fragrances. Among the perfumes offered in this bottle were Emeraude, L’Aimant, L’Origan, Rose, La Jacée, L’Effleurt, Chypre, Paris, Styx, and L’Or. Its limited distribution and short production span have made it a genuine rarity today. Collectors note that examples seldom appear on the market; in fact, it is so scarce that many long-time perfume bottle researchers have encountered it only once. Its combination of Art Deco design, crystal craftsmanship, and limited availability places it among the more elusive treasures in Coty's line of early twentieth-century presentations.