The History of Perfumery: From Antiquity to the Present Day
When getting out of the shower, after shaving, or before leaving the house, luxury and elegance enthusiasts love to wear perfume at any time. This field is very successful. Currently, a multitude of fragrances is available on the market. Millions of perfume bottles are sold every day worldwide. But behind these fascinating scents lies a very rich and interesting past. In fact, perfume is far from being a recent product as one might think. It has existed for many centuries. Let's take a brief look at the history of perfumery.
Why was perfume created?
Perfume is a true everyday fashion accessory. Men and women use it almost every day. It is a blend of chemistry and creativity. The perfume manufacturing sector currently contributes to the economic growth of certain countries.
A perfumer is the person who creates a perfume, and perfumery refers to the activity itself as well as the industry. This profession of perfumer is closely linked to that of glove maker to meet certain specific needs, including the famous tradition of perfumed gloves.
The concept dates back to the Neolithic period. At that time, prehistoric men used resins to flavor their food. They also used essences extracted from certain plants to intimidate game during hunting. In the therapeutic field, it is possible to spray a perfumed scent in a room to disinfect it and curb epidemics.
At the time, the Black Death ravaged. Patients drank rosemary essential oil to purify their bodies and skin. It should be noted that the first perfume in the history of perfumery was designed based on rosemary water, rose water, and orange blossom. According to legend, it was an excellent beauty elixir. The pomander was also an odoriferous ball for prophylactic purposes. Not to mention the fact that perfume is highly prized for concealing unpleasant body odors.
The origin of perfumery: from Antiquity to the Middle Ages
The history of perfume began in the earliest Antiquity, during which prehistoric man exploited the fragrant properties of plants for hunting or cooking. The sweet fragrance adopted its current mode of use from the Egyptian civilization. To emphasize her femininity and preserve her youth, Cleopatra used to bathe in perfumed donkey milk.
Egyptians also used ointments, resins, liquors, incense, and perfumed oils in their embalming rituals. Designed by the great perfumers of the time, these fragrant compositions were important for honoring their gods in cults. By burning aromatic essences, a fragrant smoke was released and rose to communicate with the divine.
Greco-Roman civilization took over in the history of perfumery. While the Greeks developed new scents, the Romans turned to the use of fragrant compounds for medicinal purposes. Perfume became a fashion accessory and a seductive asset, as it is today in the 16th century. Since then, aromatic products have continued to increase.
During these eras, perfume could be extracted from both plant raw materials (aromatic plants, flowers, etc.) and animal materials (amber, musk). The distillation technique in the art of perfumery appeared with the creation of the alembic. It marked a turning point in this history.
From the Renaissance to the appearance of industrial perfumery
The Renaissance period is the most marked by the history of French perfumery. It symbolizes the birth of olfactory notes in this field such as musk, amber, vanilla, jasmine, tuberose, cocoa, or pepper. The general public began to appreciate this product for pleasure, to signify refinement and social status. Floral scents became trendy for women.
The commercialization of fragrant substances experienced a real boom. The arrival of new raw materials favored many possibilities in terms of perfumed products: floral or fruity scented waters, trail perfumes, perfumed mouthwashes (ginger, clove...), ointments, oils... In short, the aromatic collection became increasingly rich. Among others, perfuming powders with iris, violet, or musk rose were perfect for hair.
The beginning of the history of modern perfumery
The 19th century was marked by the success of citrus eau de cologne thanks to Emperor Napoleon. Unlike eau de parfum, eau de colognes do not last very long, but their freshness is undeniable. This era also saw the birth of the first modern perfume, made with synthetic molecules, including vanillin, tonka bean, and coumarin. These elements are still debated in luxury perfumery.
Similarly, this period constitutes a true technological turning point in the history of perfumery. It was at this time that new natural extraction methods were invented. Many perfumers also began to create spray perfumes. The mass production of bottles was booming.
In the 20th century, perfume became increasingly integrated into daily life, even for men. Everyone had their favorite fragrance. Major brands emerged and created several iconic perfumes: La Vie est Belle in 1949, Chanel N° 5 in 1921, Miss Dior by Christian Dior in 1947, L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci in 1948, Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent in 1977, etc. Some products of French perfumery gained more notoriety like Guerlain, Roger & Gallet, Bourjois, Caron, etc. The concept developed and became democratized.
And today?
Original and modern perfumes are becoming more accessible. Many fragrant products currently diffuse delicate scents such as scented candles, fresh waters, etc. They meet different needs: sensuality, emotion, authenticity, originality, etc. Perfumers are more open in their creation. Men's perfumes therefore incorporate more sweetness, and women's perfumes produce more intense scents. Mixed fragrances are also proliferating on the market. Many modern perfumes rediscover the virtues allocated to scents in the past and cling to more particular themes, notably health and well-being.
