Moment Supreme by Jean Patou c1929

In the context of the 1920s, the launch of Jean Patou's perfume "Moment Supreme" carries intriguing connotations related to sensuality and cultural attitudes towards lovemaking. In France, the term "Moment Supreme" was often used euphemistically to refer to "Le Petit Mort," which translates to "the little death" and symbolizes orgasm. This usage reflects a cultural fascination with pleasure and indulgence during the interwar period, characterized by the liberation of social norms and the embrace of hedonistic pursuits.

Jean Patou's choice of the name "Moment Supreme" for his perfume is therefore layered with symbolic meaning. By evoking a moment of ultimate pleasure and transcendence, the name suggests a sensory experience that is both fleeting and profound, akin to the climax of intimate connection. This makes "Moment Supreme" a fitting name for a perfume, as it promises to capture and embody a moment of heightened emotion, luxury, and refinement.

Those drawn to a perfume named "Moment Supreme" would likely be individuals who appreciate sophistication, elegance, and the finer pleasures in life. They would respond to the perfume with a desire to indulge in its luxurious aura, seeking to enhance their own moments of personal allure and sensuality. The fragrance would resonate particularly well in cosmopolitan centers like Paris, London, and New York, where a sophisticated clientele values both tradition and innovation in perfume craftsmanship.

The word "Moment Supreme" evokes images of decadence, passion, and intimacy, conjuring scenes of romantic evenings, opulent settings, and the allure of timeless elegance. Emotionally, it suggests a sense of anticipation and fulfillment, capturing the essence of a fleeting yet unforgettable experience.

As a name for a perfume, "Moment Supreme" is indeed unique, standing out from more conventional floral or abstract titles commonly used in the perfume industry. Its interpretation varies, offering a sophisticated audience an intriguing glimpse into the perfume's promise of exquisite pleasure and refined indulgence.

Jean Patou's Parfum-Colognes

In 1936, Jean Patou introduced their versions of eau de cologne, which they dubbed "Parfum-Cologne". It combined the refreshing quality of eau de cologne with the long lasting tenacity of a parfum.

It was recommended for daytime or evening use during the summer to help refresh and cool the body. Meant to be splashed lavishly after a bath or shower to help keep you smelling great and abandon the heavy perfumes to winter.

Originally it was only a splash on fragrance, but in the late 1960s, it also was expanded into a spray form as well.

Parfum-Cologne was still available in 1983 in the Caline scent.

Over the years, the Parfum-Colognes were available in the following scents:

• L'Heure Attendue
• Moment Supreme
• Cocktail Dry
• Amour Amour
• Colony
• Caline

The oldest bottles, dating from the 1930s-1940s, are columnar in shape with arched shoulders, they are simply marked "Jean Patou" on the base and are fitted with ground glass stoppers. They feature paper labels and a strip like paper label along the bottom. These are packaged in plain white boxes with a single JP logo on the front.

c1949 ad showing glass stoppered bottles

The slightly later columnar bottles, dating from the 1950s -1960s have "Jean Patou Bottle Made in France" and some numbers on the base and are fitted with plastic screw caps. Early bottles (1950s-still being used in 1959) have black screw caps. They feature paper labels and a strip like paper label along the bottom, though the strip label was later discontinued. Some of these may have a small round paper label with the alcohol volume percentage on the lower back side.These are packaged in white boxes with an all over JP logo pattern.

c1961 ad showing black plastic caps

In the 1960s, just before the changeover to a new bottle style, the columnar bottles were fitted with gold plastic screw caps and housed in white boxes with simple lettering in a square frame on the front. These bottles still have a paper label on the front and may have a small round paper label with the alcohol volume percentage on the lower back side. The base of the bottle is molded with "Jean Patou Bottle Made in France".You may find some of these newer bottles in the old JP logo boxes as old stock was used up.

The newest bottles, used from the 1960s-1980, are squat, oval shaped with screw caps or sprays and have the perfume name screen printed on the bottle. These are packaged in white boxes with gold lettering.

Available in 3.4 oz (100ml), 4 oz, 5.1 oz (150ml), 8 oz, 16 oz and 32 ounce sizes.

Tall columnar bottles:

Plastic caps:

• Ref. No. 128
• 6.8 oz bottle (Ref. No 130) stands 
• stands 4" tall
• 1.6 oz 
• 4 oz bottle stands 4.5" tall (plastic cap)
• 5" tall
•  Ref. (No. 528)
• 3.5 oz bottle (Ref. No. 529) stands 5.5" tall
• (Ref. No. 530)
• Moment Supreme Ref. No 503 stands 6.5" tall (plastic cap)
• 6.8 oz stands 
• 7 1/3 oz stands 6.75" tall
• Cocktail Dry 8 oz stands 5.25" tall (plastic cap)
• Moment Supreme 8 oz stands 6.75" tall  (plastic cap)
• No. 4301 

Glass stopper bottles:

• stands 5.5" tall  (glass stopper)
• 8 oz stands 7" tall. (glass stopper)
• One litre bottle stands 11.5" tall.

c1950 Parfum-Cologne, photo by perfumeprojects

c1950-1960, photo by etsy seller ChiChiPerfumes

c1955-1960 Parfum-Cologne, photo by etsy seller eColognes

c1965-1970s Parfum-Cologne, photo by etsy seller thevintageretroshop