Heidi Norton
There are several ways to determine the age of a perfume bottle. One way is to look for batch codes, which can be checked on websites such as CheckFresh.com to reveal the production date. However, batch codes are not always available for all perfume manufacturers. Another method is to examine the packaging, as older bottles are less likely to have ingredients listed, while newer bottles typically include a detailed list of ingredients on the back of the box. The presence of cellophane packaging, which became common in the late 1930s, can also provide a clue about the age of the perfume. Additionally, the design of the bottle and the presence of specific markings or signatures, such as those by renowned designers like Lucien Gaillard and Julien Viard, can help establish a date range for the bottle's production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients listed | Older bottles will have no ingredients listed. By 2004, there will be a long, complicated list of ingredients on the back of the box. |
| Cellophane packaging | It was originally used to wrap luxury items but was expensive and not moisture-proof. Finding early perfumes with cellophane packaging is very rare. It became a regular feature of perfume packaging in the late 1930s. |
| Company address | If your label or box has the perfume company's address, you might be able to date the bottle by comparing the addresses for the company if it has had more than one address. |
| Signature | Lalique perfumes were marked with a signature on the base. The signature has changed over the years, and you can date a bottle by the style of the signature. Older bottles are marked R. Lalique in block lettering. |
| Initials | If your bottle is marked with the initials "HP" on the base, it was made by the glass factory of Pochet et du Courval in France after 1930. |
| Factory | If your bottle is marked S or SGD on the base, it was manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory of France after the 1950s. |
| Markings | If your bottle is marked Gaillard, J. Viard or J. Villard, it was made between 1900 and the 1920s. |
| Batch code | Check the batch code on the perfume and use a website like CheckFresh.com to determine the production date. |
| Labels | Some labels can be read from both sides, looking through the back of the bottle. Labels may also have the date stamped on the back. Sample bottles from the 1950s onward often had labels that said "sample, not to be sold". |
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What You'll Learn
Check the base of the bottle for signatures or marks
Checking the base of a perfume bottle for signatures or marks is a great way to identify its approximate date of manufacture. Here are some key points to consider when examining the base of a perfume bottle:
First, look for any acid stamps or etched signatures. Well-known perfume houses like Baccarat, Lalique, Cristal Nancy, and Cristal Romesnil often marked their bottles in this way. Cristal Nancy, for instance, ceased operations in 1934, so their bottles predate that year. Baccarat bottles from 1936 onwards were consistently marked with an acid stamp, while older bottles may have been acid-etched, stamped, or had paper labels. Lalique perfumes, on the other hand, featured signatures on the bases, which changed over time. Older Lalique bottles are marked "R. Lalique" in block lettering, while bottles signed "Rene Lalique" or "R. Lalique" date up to 1945, after which they are marked "Lalique France."
Secondly, examine the base for any patent numbers or English Registry Design numbers. These markings were common on perfume bottles in the 1930s and 1940s. You can then use these numbers to search for more information online. Additionally, look for any etched matching numbers on both the base of the bottle and the bottom of the stopper. These numbers indicate that the bottle and stopper were ground to fit together precisely.
Thirdly, certain markings indicate the country of origin and the period of manufacture. For example, bottles marked "Made in Occupied Japan" were produced between September 1945 and April 1952. If your bottle is marked "S" or "SGD" on the base, it was manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory of France after the 1950s. Bottles marked "Gaillard", "J. Viard", or "J. Villard" were made between 1900 and the 1920s. If your bottle has an embossed entwined "HP" mark on the base, it was made by the French glass factory Pochet et du Courval after 1930.
Finally, consider the type of lettering used on the base of the bottle. Enameled lettering, also known as serigraphy, started to be used in the 1930s and became a regular feature in the 1940s. This type of lettering is fragile and can be easily lost during cleaning.
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Look for labels with dates or other identifying information
When looking at the labels on perfume bottles, there are several things to consider when determining their date of manufacture. Firstly, older bottles may not have any ingredients listed at all, whereas newer bottles, particularly those produced after 2004, will typically feature a long and detailed list of ingredients on the back of the box. The presence or absence of cellophane packaging can also provide a clue, as it was originally used for luxury items and only became a regular feature of perfume packaging in the late 1930s.
Secondly, the wording and terminology used on the labels can be indicative of the production date. For example, the word "dram" to denote contents was commonly used in the 1930s and 1940s, referring to small, purse-sized bottles that were affordable during the Great Depression and WWII. Additionally, any cosmetic, perfume, or lotion labelled as "hypoallergenic" dates to after 1975, when the FDA allowed this terminology.
Thirdly, certain labels or markings can indicate the country of origin and the timeframe of production. For instance, bottles embossed or labelled as "Made in Occupied Japan" were produced between September 1945 and April 1952. Similarly, Lalique perfumes feature signatures on their bases, and the style of the signature can help determine the date. Older bottles may be marked "R. Lalique" in block lettering, while those produced until 1945 will be signed "Rene Lalique" or "R. Lalique". After 1945, the signature changes to simply "Lalique France".
Lastly, some labels may include patent numbers, English Registry Design numbers, or other identifying marks. These can be researched online to determine the date of the patent or registration. Additionally, some labels may have dates stamped on the back, particularly on sample bottles from the 1950s onwards, which were marked "sample, not to be sold". Display bottles may also have labels such as "dummy, not for sale" and sometimes include a date stamp as well.
It is important to examine all sides of the bottle, as some labels can be read from both sides, and dates may be stamped on the back of the labels.
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Identify the type of packaging
Identifying the type of packaging of a perfume can help determine its age. Here are some ways to identify the packaging and potentially narrow down the date of production:
Labels and Stickers
Perfume bottles and their packaging may have labels or stickers that provide clues about their age. Older bottles are less likely to have ingredients listed, whereas bottles from 2004 onwards will typically have a detailed list of ingredients on the back of the box. Labels with certain markings can also indicate the target market. For example, bottles intended for the Mexican market may have labels with the number and initials "TDSP," which stands for "Tratado sobre el Derecho Sustantivo de Patentes" (Substantive Patent Law Treaty). These labels are typically found on bottles from the 1930s and 1940s, primarily from brands like Chanel and Ciro. Sample bottles from the 1950s onwards were often labelled as "sample, not to be sold," while modern bottles use the term "tester." Display bottles, which were not meant for resale, may have labels indicating their purpose, such as "Factice."
Cellophane Packaging
Cellophane packaging was introduced in the early 20th century but was initially expensive and not moisture-proof. It became more commonly used in the late 1930s for perfume box packaging. Therefore, if a perfume box has cellophane packaging, it likely dates from the late 1930s onwards.
Signatures and Markings
Some perfume bottles, particularly those by Lalique, may have signatures or markings on their bases that can help determine their age. Older Lalique bottles are often marked with "R. Lalique" in block lettering, while bottles produced until 1945 may be signed "Rene Lalique" or "R. Lalique." After 1945, the signature changed to simply "Lalique France." If the bottle has an embossed entwined "HP" mark on the base, it was made by the Pochet et du Courval glass factory in France after 1930. Bottles marked with "S" or "SGD" on the base were manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory in France after the 1950s.
Stopper Innovations
The design of the stopper can also provide clues about the age of the perfume bottle. If the glass stopper has a plastic cap on the end of its dowel, it likely dates from the 1970s onwards. This is because Brosse patented two stopper innovations in 1976, one of which included a polypropylene coating of the stopper dowel with internal friction teeth.
Batch Codes
Batch codes on perfume bottles can be checked on websites like CheckFresh.com to determine the production date. However, it's important to note that batch code databases may not cover all perfume manufacturers, and perfume houses often repeat their codes every ten years.
Company Addresses
If the perfume box or label includes the company's address, you may be able to estimate the age of the bottle by researching the company's address history.
By considering these various packaging characteristics, you can often narrow down the age of a perfume bottle or confirm its production date.
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Check the stopper for plastic caps
One way to determine the age of a perfume bottle is to examine the stopper for plastic caps. Plastic caps placed over the base of a ground glass stopper were introduced in the 1970s. Brosse, a French company, patented two stopper innovations in 1976: the first was a ring made of polypropylene with horizontal joints placed on the stopper dowel, and the second was a polypropylene coating of the stopper dowel designed with internal friction teeth. Therefore, if your perfume bottle has a plastic cap on the end of its dowel plug, it likely dates from the 1970s onwards.
Prior to the introduction of plastic caps, glass stoppers with dowels that fit into corks were commonly used, predominantly from the 1870s to the 1920s. Silver-plated or gold-plated metal screw caps became popular in the 1920s, and silver- or gold-plated plastic screw caps followed in the 1940s.
Bakelite screw caps were commonly used from the 1930s to the 1950s, and some perfume brands, such as Lanvin, continued using black Bakelite screw caps into the 1960s. Bakelite has a distinct formaldehyde or carbolic acid odour, which can be detected by briskly rubbing the cap with your finger or holding it under hot running water for 20-30 seconds. Lucite caps were introduced in the late 1930s and can be identified by their tendency to yellow or discolour over time, often with small fractures or chips.
Additionally, older perfumes may be sealed with onion skin, viscose, or thin celluloid in various colours, including red, clear, or blue. These materials were used before the widespread adoption of plastic caps and can provide insight into the age of the perfume bottle.
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Compare the ingredients list to known dates
One way to determine the age of a perfume bottle is to compare the ingredients list to known dates. Older bottles, for instance, will have no ingredients listed at all. By 2004, there should be a long, complicated list of ingredients listed on the back of the box.
Cellophane packaging, which was originally used to wrap luxury items, was developed in 1908. It was expensive and not moisture-proof. Finding early perfumes with cellophane packaging is very rare. It wasn’t until the late 1930s that cellophane started to become a regular feature on perfume box packaging.
If your bottle is marked Gaillard, J. Viard or J. Villard, it was made during 1900-1920. Lucien Gaillard designed many Art Nouveau perfume bottles for notable French perfume houses such as Clamy and Violet. Julien Viard was a French glass designer of the 1920s and designed bottles for Richard Hudnut, Isabey, Favolys and Langlois. Lalique perfumes were marked with a signature on the bases. The signature has changed over the years and you can date a bottle by the style of the signature. Older bottles are marked R. Lalique in block lettering. If your bottle is signed Rene Lalique or R. Lalique, this mark was used until 1945. After this date, bottles will be simply marked Lalique France.
If there is an EAN barcode on the box, the perfume dates to after 1989. Starting in 1992, the Green Dot recycling symbol will appear on the box. If there is an e-sign, also known as the estimated sign, next to the volume, it was made after 1976. This is a mark that can be found on some pre-packed goods in Europe and indicates that the packaging is filled according to the European Union Directive.
Bottles embossed with or having labels marked “Made in Occupied Japan” were made from September 1945 until April 1952. Enameled lettering, also known as serigraphy (instead of labels), on glass bottles started being used after the 1930s and was a pretty regular feature in the 1940s onward. This lettering is fragile and can be easily lost with cleaning.
On bottles destined for the Mexican market, you may find labels with a number and the initials TDSP, which stands for Tratado sobre el Derecho Sustantivo de Patentes (Substantive Patent Law Treaty). These have been found on bottles from the 1930s and 1940s, by companies such as Chanel and Ciro.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to find out the date of a perfume bottle. Here are some methods:
- Check the ingredients list. Older bottles will have no ingredients listed, while bottles from 2004 onwards will have a long list of ingredients.
- Check the packaging. Cellophane packaging became a regular feature in perfume packaging in the late 1930s.
- Check the company address on the label or box. If the company has had multiple addresses, you may be able to date the bottle by comparing addresses.
Some perfume bottles have markings or signatures on the base that indicate the manufacturer. For example:
- Lalique perfumes are marked with signatures that changed over time. Older bottles may be marked "R. Lalique" in block lettering, while newer bottles may be marked "Rene Lalique", "R. Lalique", or simply "Lalique France".
- Bottles with an embossed entwined "HP" mark on the base were made by the Pochet et du Courval glass factory in France after 1930.
- Bottles marked with "S" or "SGD" on the base were manufactured by the Saint Gobain Desjonqueres glass factory in France after the 1950s.
The markings on a perfume bottle's stopper can provide information about the bottle's age and manufacturer:
- If the stopper has a plastic cap on the end of its dowel, it likely dates to the 1970s or later.
- Stoppers marked with "Gaillard", "J. Viard", or "J. Villard" were made between 1900 and the 1920s.
You can often find the production date of a perfume by checking the batch code. Websites like CheckFresh.com allow you to input the batch code and receive information about the production date. However, keep in mind that batch code databases may not cover all perfume manufacturers, and some perfume houses repeat their codes every 10 years.
Yes, sometimes you can find additional information by examining the bottle closely:
- Look for labels with dates stamped on them. Some older bottles may have labels with dates or indications of their purpose, such as "sample, not to be sold" or "tester".
- Check for markings or labels on all sides of the bottle. Some labels can be read from both sides, and you might find dates or other relevant information.
