Objet Céleste Volnay 2013

When I first tested "Objet Céleste" a few years ago, I was captivated by all the fragrances in the sampler set. Especially by "Brume d'Hiver," of which I have already repurchased the 2nd bottle. I also liked "Objet Céleste" very much, but at that time - as now - I had several beautiful floral scents. So it remained on my wish list until now. I wrote a review in 2013, which I have long since deleted. I will set aside the reason for that. However, I saved the review in my files and realize that deleting it was the right decision. Back then, I perceived some things exactly as I do now. On the other hand, due to inexperience and lack of knowledge, I misattributed some fragrance notes because I didn't know better, and I couldn't differentiate others. Moreover, the pyramid has since been changed.
I also did not test it blindly and did not dare to move outside the listed pyramid.
Now it stands here, the new bottle, acquired at a bargain price from ParfumMaria, NL. At that time, the Volnay fragrances were available at ALzD, but that is already history. They classified "Objet Céleste" as a feminine floral chypre.
As also informed at ALzD, all Volnay fragrances have a base mixture, in this case, Base 4092, a blend of rose, not sweet vanilla, and clove.
The name? "Objet Céleste" is translated by my two translation programs either as celestial object or celestial body.
What continually enchants me about "Objet Céleste" is, on one hand, its delicate, gentle, ephemeral, indeed filigree floral quality; it has something ethereal and at the same time a well-executed, clearly noticeable yet restrained noble dark aromatic rosewood-like quality, whose bitterness I now perceive as grapefruit.
Objet Céleste starts off a bit harsh for a few seconds, almost citral, then a delicate citrus note unfolds that aligns itself under the simultaneously grounded dark-bitter wood note.
That’s how it is with the celestial bodies that shine and dazzle for us. They appear in the telescope as if the sky around us is woven with countless delicate little sparkling ornaments into an invisible net. And yet, the celestial bodies are mass, matter. These wood notes ground "Objet Céleste."
This results in a very harmonious scent, in my opinion.
After the brief initial phase, a lovely, delicate floral mix appears. I perceive a sweetness reminiscent of honeysuckle, a hint of honey sweetness like the nectar from honeysuckle flowers.
Could benzoin and/or labdanum be responsible for that?
This filigree, always ephemeral floral scent, however, is contained by the wood and the imperceptible clove scent as antagonists.
Even the vanilla and citrus accents at the beginning are no longer perceptible to me.
A creamy, warm, cheerful floral scent emerges, capable of uplifting one's mood into a sunny, buoyant state. And yet, it remains a woodsy, resinous grounded fragrance.
Since "Objet Céleste" has a restrained sillage, and I perceive it on myself and as a scent aura around me, it can be worn confidently for all occasions and seasons. If one wishes to present more of it, one must spray twice and not sparingly. The longevity is, in my perception, rather mediocre; I perceive it for a very long time on the skin and in the room.
The round, moon-shaped, flat bottle is adorned on one side with a slightly raised floral pattern, which is also found on the cap.
I do not have small hands, but like with many large bottles, I turn the spray opening to the side so that I can hold the bottle securely with one hand while spraying.
I deducted one point for the bottle because the cap, while very heavy and slightly magnetic, sits firmly on the spray rim, preventing evaporation. However, one should never lift the bottle by the cap; it is not magnetic enough to hold the glass bottle. In a fraction of a second, the bottle can fall away.
For those who enjoy uncomplicated and non-intrusive floral scents, and who appreciate a certain twist towards the grounded, "Objet Céleste" is recommended. You will not be overwhelmed by heavy floral scents like jasmine, lily of the valley, orange blossom, lilac, lily, gardenia, or tuberose.