Antique On Dit Perfume by Elizabeth Arden 1/4 oz Parfum Mini Crystal Bottle Art Deco 1940s.
On Dit was launched in 1937 and was created by famous perfumer Edmond Roudnitska. It was apparently put on hold from production during the war and was re-launched as soon as it was over in 1945. The perfume's name means "They Say..." in French, the suggestion is of juicy gossip among Arden's salon patrons and shown as a literal interpretation in the gilded foil label's design of two ladies, one has her hand held discreetly over her mouth as she whispers into the ear of her companion.
This pretty, cut crystal mini flacon with its flat faceted glass stopper is quite rare to find today, I have included a photo of a 1947 newspaper ad showing the bottle. The bottle is about 25% full. The alcohol and water have evaporated over nearly 90 years of maturing, leaving behind a highly concentrated essence. The bottle has never been opened, it is still factory sealed and retains its original baudruchage cording around the neck. The miniature bottle stands only 2" tall and holds 1/4 oz of parfum. This is the smallest size for this perfume bottle, also known in the industry as the "first size."
On Dit was classified as a floral chypre fragrance for women with woody, mossy and leafy notes. Similar to Mitsouko by Guerlain but without the peach effect.
Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, Iranian galbanum, aldehydes
Middle notes: Grasse rose absolute and Grasse jasmine absolute
Base notes: Java vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, French labdanum, Indonesian patchouli, Tyrolean oakmoss, Mysore sandalwood, Texas cedar, ambergris, Tibetan musk
On Dit seems to have been discontinued sometime in the 1970s.