Sunday, April 23, 2017

G. de Beffort & Co

G. de Beffort was a Paris-based manufacturer of fine perfume-related accessories and functional metalwork, located at 66 rue de Bondy. The company was active in the early 20th century and specialized in producing a diverse range of toilet garnitures, perfume atomizers, perfume burners, barber tools, and metal fittings—notably sprinkler-style crown tops used for finishing perfume bottles. Their work bridged both utilitarian and decorative purposes, with much of their output aligning with the elegant, often Art Nouveau and early Art Deco tastes of the time.

Among their patented and notable creations was the "Cistaflor", a perfume burner designed for scented air diffusion, which reflected the early 20th-century interest in aromatic home environments. Another important innovation was their line of pocket atomizers, sold under the trademark “Ketma.” These compact, portable devices allowed for on-the-go application of perfume and were particularly stylish and practical. One such Ketma atomizer was likely used by Maurice Babani, a well-known perfumer, importer, and purveyor of exotic and luxury goods in London, further suggesting the brand’s presence in fashionable and high-end retail circles.

G. de Beffort received international recognition for their quality and innovation, notably winning the Grand Prix at the 1911 Exposition Internationale in Paris—a prestigious award that placed them among the elite manufacturers of perfumery accessories. The company also had an international footprint, maintaining a London office at 2 St-Georges Avenue, Aldermanbury, EC, which would have facilitated distribution and business relations across the English Channel.

Archival evidence confirms that G. de Beffort remained active at least until 1923, as shown by a hand-dated invoice from that year. This suggests a solid commercial lifespan for a company whose products combined refined design with mechanical utility in the service of luxury perfumery. 


c1911






The 1923 invoice shown above illustrates one of the Ketma pocket sized perfume atomizers in the upper right corner. 



From Pauline Turco's collection. This German porcelain perfume elephant is one of the small animal atomizer bottles by Schafer & Vater, model number 886. The tan monochrome glaze highlights the fine detail of this piece. Labels on both sides of the elephant identify the atomizer " Ketma". The atomizer hardware is stamped, "Made in France." As is often the case, the bottle is German made and the atomizer hardware was from France. This S&V model was sold as a souvenir at the Exposition Coloniale Internationale in Paris, France in 1931. Shown on page 115 of The Crown Top Book by Pauline Turco. Size: Approximately 3" h. including atomizer hardware and bulb.

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