Launched in 1926, Lentheric's "Asphodele" is a fragrance that carries deep cultural and mythological significance, carefully chosen to evoke a sense of timeless elegance and memory. The name "Asphodele" refers to the asphodel, a species of daffodil (narcissus) that thrives around the Mediterranean, as well as on the coasts of Brittany and Galicia. In ancient times, these flowers were often associated with the afterlife, believed to bloom in the meadows of Hades where souls rested. The word "Asphodele" itself is of Greek origin, pronounced "As Fo Del," and it conjures images of serene landscapes filled with soft, ethereal blooms, gently swaying in the breeze.
The choice of the name "Asphodele" for this perfume was likely influenced by its connection to both beauty and the eternal, invoking a sense of delicate melancholy. The asphodel was traditionally used to adorn the graves of the deceased, symbolizing the remembrance of those who had passed. This association would have resonated deeply with the women of the 1920s, a time when the world was still recovering from the scars of World War I. The imagery of the asphodel, coupled with its mythological roots, would evoke a sense of introspective beauty, mingled with the sweetness of life and the inevitability of death.
In terms of scent, "Asphodele" would have been interpreted as a fragrance that balances lightness with depth. Its composition, a light, sweet gardenia-based fruity floral perfume with subtle green notes on a musky base, would mirror the delicate yet enduring nature of the asphodel flower. The floral and fruity elements would evoke the freshness and purity of the blooms, while the musky undertones would hint at something more profound and lasting, much like the asphodel’s connection to the afterlife.
Women of the 1920s, a period marked by both modernity and reflection, would likely have seen "Asphodele" as a fragrance of quiet sophistication. It would appeal to those who sought a perfume that was not just a scent, but a statement—a reflection of the times, when the world was grappling with the aftermath of war and the rapid changes in society. "Asphodele" would stand out in an era where many fragrances leaned towards the bold and the opulent. Its light, gardenia-centered profile would offer a softer, more introspective alternative, appealing to women who appreciated subtlety and depth in their personal expression.
The 1920s was a decade of innovation in perfumery, with many houses exploring complex compositions and exotic ingredients. While some fragrances of the time embraced the heady, rich scents that mirrored the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties, "Asphodele" by Lentheric would have been unique in its gentle elegance, offering a quiet counterpoint to the more dominant trends. Its delicate balance of floral sweetness and musky depth would have made it both modern and timeless, a fragrance that could capture the fleeting beauty of the moment while resonating with deeper, more eternal themes.
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. 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, cassie, neroli, geranium, orange
- Middle notes: gardenia, tuberose, lily, ylang ylang, rose, daffodil
- Base notes: green notes, musk, storax, civet
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.
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Scent Profile:
As you first encounter Asphodele, the fragrance opens with a burst of sparkling aldehydes that dance in the air like the first rays of sunlight glinting through dewdrops. The aldehydes provide a crisp, effervescent quality that immediately lifts your spirits, setting the stage for the intricate journey to follow. Alongside this bright opening, the narcissus reveals itself, a bittersweet floral note that carries with it a subtle hint of earthiness, reminiscent of springtime meadows.
This is complemented by the honeyed warmth of cassie, which adds a touch of golden sweetness, while neroli introduces a soft citrusy freshness that feels both delicate and invigorating. The geranium brings a faint touch of green spiciness, grounding the composition with its herbal undertones, as the zest of orange lingers, adding a burst of juiciness that ties the top notes together in a fragrant harmony.
As the perfume begins to settle, the heart of Asphodele blooms with the luxurious scent of gardenia, the star of the composition. The gardenia is lush and creamy, exuding a rich, velvety floral essence that is both intoxicating and comforting. It intertwines seamlessly with the exotic tuberose, which adds a sensual, almost narcotic depth to the heart of the fragrance.
Lily’s soft, powdery sweetness adds a gentle innocence, while ylang-ylang introduces a heady, tropical richness that contrasts beautifully with the more delicate floral notes. The classic scent of rose makes its presence known, offering a touch of romanticism and timeless beauty. Then, there is the daffodil, a nod to the asphodel flower itself, which lends a green, almost waxy floral note that anchors the heart of the fragrance, adding a touch of nostalgia and a reminder of the mythological inspiration behind the scent.
As the fragrance deepens, the base notes begin to emerge, wrapping the florals in a subtle, yet captivating embrace. The green notes provide a crisp, verdant backdrop, evoking the freshness of leaves and grass after a gentle rain, grounding the sweetness of the florals with their natural, earthy tones.
The musk in the base adds a soft, animalic warmth that envelops the wearer like a delicate, comforting veil. The storax brings a resinous, balsamic richness that deepens the composition, while the civet adds an intriguing, slightly feral touch, lending the fragrance an air of mystery and allure.
Each of these ingredients, masterfully blended, creates a perfume that is both light and complex, sweet and earthy, evoking the timeless elegance of the asphodel flower. Asphodele, with its intricate blend of 106 floralities and the oil of living flowers, is a scent that lingers, leaving a lasting impression of delicate beauty and profound depth. It captures the essence of a fleeting bloom and the enduring memory of a myth, offering a fragrance experience that is both ephemeral and eternal.
Bottle:
Standard Asphodele Flacon for Parfum:
The standard Asphodele flacon for parfum is a beautiful example of Lentheric’s dedication to elegant and timeless design. The bottle itself is crafted from clear glass, allowing the golden hue of the precious fragrance within to catch and reflect the light. Its shape is both simple and sophisticated, with a bulbous, rounded base that gradually tapers into a slender neck. This graceful silhouette exudes an air of refined femininity, suggesting both delicacy and strength.
Atop this delicate vessel sits a stopper of clear and frosted glass, adding a subtle contrast to the clarity of the bottle. The stopper is molded into a triangular shape, each of its three sides prominently featuring the letter 'L'—a nod to the iconic Lentheric brand. The intricate detailing of the stopper is further enhanced by the application of silver leaf, which adds a touch of opulence and catches the light with a subtle shimmer. This luxurious detail is complemented by the use of enamel, which delicately outlines the 'L' on each side, lending the stopper an additional layer of richness and texture.
The flacon is available in several sizes, making it both a collectible item and a practical choice for various occasions. The smallest size, a 1 oz bottle standing at 2.75 inches tall, is a petite and portable version, perfect for carrying a touch of Asphodele's elegance wherever one goes. The largest size, an 8 oz bottle, offers a more substantial and impressive presence, ideal for display on a vanity where it can be admired as much for its design as for the fragrance it holds.
Each size of the Asphodele flacon reflects the same attention to detail and commitment to quality, making it a cherished piece for any perfume connoisseur. The combination of clear glass, frosted accents, silver leaf, and enamel creates a harmonious blend of materials that elevates the bottle from mere packaging to a work of art in its own right. The thoughtful design not only preserves the precious contents but also enhances the overall sensory experience, making the act of applying Asphodele a moment of indulgence and luxury.
"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."
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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