Asphodele by Lentheric c1926

Asphodele by Lentheric: launched in 1926, pronounced "As Fo Del". Asphodele refers to the species of daffodil (narcissus) that grow around the Mediterranean and a species growing on both the coasts of Brittany and Galicia. In the ancient times, the daffodils were often used to bloom the grave of the dead, where the legend of Asphodel Meadow , instead of Hades in Greek mythology . I have read that the actual asphodele plant has no scent.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It was a light, sweet gardenia based fruity floral perfume with subtle green notes on a musky base. I had only the tiniest drop of a sample to test for this blog entry and the sample was quite degraded. I would love to have another go at another sample if someone could provide me one. According to early 1930s newspaper ads, Asphodele was made with "106 different flower "floralities" and "made from the oil of living flowers, so its fragrance lasts".

• Top notes: aldehydes, narcissus
• Middle notes: gardenia, tuberose, lily
• Base notes: green notes, musk

It was described as "the true fragrance of the gardenia, modernism in perfume" in a 1930 newspaper ad.

Bottle:

Standard Asphodele Flacon for Parfum:

Presented in a clear glass bottle with a bulbous round base and a tapered neck, clear and frosted glass stopper in the shape of a triangle molded with the letter 'L' on each side, sometimes you can find the stopper decorated with silver leaf and enamel.

This bottle came in several sizes, from 1 oz (approximately 28cc) to 8 oz.

• 1 oz bottle stands 2.75" tall.

Fashions of the Hour, 1926:

"And a delicate scent to please a pretty nose: (8) Asphodele by Lentheric, crystal and silver bottle, $12.50. (9) Lionceau's Parfum pour Blondes, jade green bottle, $15. (10) Sourire de France, old rose and silver bottle, $30. (11) Rue de Rivoli by Hener, black bottle with red and white, $18. (12) Hener's Belle de Nuit, royal blue bottle and case."

Advertising & Selling, 1929:

"Beauty of line is shown in the perfume bottle of Lentheric. It is of modernistic type, as are all the containers in this line, but the perfume bottle is especially well designed. Geometric lines in the bottle are repeated in the triangular stopper." 

Czech Bubble Flacon for Parfum:

Asphodele parfum was also presented in a controlled bubble glass bottle, made in Czechoslovakia in 1935. This bottle can be found in different colors for different perfumes by Lentheric, cerulean blue for Miracle, softened rose for Lotus D'Or, green for Le Pirate, green for Au Fil de L'Eau, green for Foret Vierge, mirror clear for Asphodele, champagne for Tweed, and Numero Douze in amber. Bottle stands 4" tall.

Bouquet Lentheric:

Bouquet Lentheric was dubbed a "daytime fragrance" and was a double strength eau de cologne.

In 1935, customers could have their Bouquet Lentheric scents bottled in beautiful Orrefors crystal bottles. These amphora shaped decanters were wheel cut with a delicate floral pattern.

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1934.
  

Miscellaneous:

From a 1929 Lentheric catalog, Asphodele was available in the following, with original prices:

Extract (boxed):

• No. 2500 - 1/2 oz - $4.00
• No. 1500 - 1 oz - $7.00
• No. 500 - 2 oz - $12.50
• No. 501 - 4 oz - $25.00
• No. 501 - 8 oz $45.00

Toilet Water:

• No. 510 - 4 oz - $6.00
• No. 511 - 8 oz - $10.00
• No. 512 - 16 oz - $18.00

Double Compact (with extra refill):

• No. 100 - $2.50

• Rouge: Pour Blonde,Medium, Pour Brune
• Powder: Naturelle, Rachel, Blanche

Single Compact (with extra refill):

• No. 101 - $1.00

• Naturelle ,Rachel, Blanche

Powder Refill (with puff for No. 101 and 100):

• No. 103 - $0.50

• Naturelle ,Rachel, Blanche

Face Powder (with puff):

• No. 105 - $1.00

• Naturelle No. 1
• Naturelle No. 2
• Naturelle No. 3
• Rachel No. 1
• Rachel No. 2
• Summer Tan 
• Ocre 
• Ocre Rose
• Blanche

Talcum Powder

• No. 110 - 4 1/2 oz - $1.00

• Summer Tan
• White

Dusting Powder (with puff)

• No. 115 - $2.00

Bath Salts

• No. 129 - small - $1.50
• No. 121 - large - $2.50

Brilliantine:

• No. 135 - Liquid - $1.50
• No. 136 - Crystalized - $2.50

Sachet:

• No. 140 - 1 oz - $2.00

 

Note: Please understand that this website is not affiliated with the Lentheric company in any way, it is only a reference page for collectors and those who have enjoyed the Lentheric fragrances.  

The goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Lentheric company how much we miss the discontinued classics such as Asphodele and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back the original formula of the perfume! 


Please leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the perfume, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or what occasion, any specific memories), who knows, perhaps someone from the company might see it.

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