Argy-Rousseau's exquisite Les Parfums ("Perfume") is a stunning "pillow vase" with a flared mouth that skillfully blends historical and artistic influences. The vase features two cartouches depicting kneeling figures: one rests her hands on the ground beside a nearby perfume jar, while the other raises her left arm above her head, holding a perfume jar aloft. These jars draw inspiration from marble vessels unearthed in the Cyclades between 1896 and 1899. The streamlined and stylized forms of Cycladic marble figures and vases, emphasizing symmetry and abstraction, significantly influenced Art Deco sculptors.
The vase serves as a tribute to Greece's rich legacy of perfume production. By the Classical period, Greek perfumery had evolved into a sophisticated art, with artisans mastering techniques to extract essential oils from plants and flowers such as roses, lilies, and violets. Perfumes were integral to daily life, used for personal grooming, religious rituals, and festivals, symbolizing both wealth and refinement.
