Common Scents: Lalique Pour Homme Equus

The Fragratica site describes Lalique’s Pour Homme Equus as “an oriental spicy fragrance for men…The nose behind this fragrance is Emilie Coppermann. Top notes are Bergamot, Lemon and Citron; middle notes are Juniper, Cardamom, Violet Leaf, Nutmeg, Brazilian Redwood and Mace; base notes are Sequoia, Vetiver, Leather, Benzoin, Amyris and Musk.”

I rather like the way that perfumers compare their craft to a musical score. Non-musicians may not appreciate the different notes and orchestral variety, much as my nose cannot differentiate between the violet leaf and the vetiver. I just like the pleasing whole, much like my ears enjoy Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 without differentiating the sounds.

The scent’s harmony also comes in a most pleasing bottle showing a horse’s head cut into the rear. This should come as no surprise considering the firm’s founder, Frenchman René Lalique, began as a luxury glassmaker, and jeweller back in 1888. Although many perfumers elect to store their wares in elegant vessels, Lalique goes a step further. So we have an harmonious fragrance within and a beautiful bottle without. This bespeaks the Christian’s future state; now, his insides are characterised by battle ("Who will rescue me from this body of death?”) and externally by the regular plainness of fallen humanity ("jars of clay"). Sweeter, lovelier times are coming.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

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