Perfume has its roots in prehistory, but it was the Egyptians who first manufactured it for human use. Over the centuries, civilizations such as the Roman, the Arab (who introduced alcohol), and the Chinese have evolved its art. Today, synthetic chemistry allows for the creation of innovative fragrances and high-quality equivalent perfumes.
Do you love perfumes? Are you interested in learning more about them? Well, here we offer you the opportunity to discover the history of perfume and who created it.
The word "perfume" comes from the Latin "fume" and means "through smoke." Below, we explore its origins and how it has reached us today.Origin of Perfume
Perfume has existed since prehistoric times.
Initially used as an air freshener or ceremonial element, it later came to be applied to the skin. The oldest perfumes were discovered by archaeologists in Cyprus, where they found the first factory. It was over four thousand years old.| Historical Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Prehistoric Use | Burning of resins and aromatic woods. |
| Cyprus Factory | Archaeological evidence over 4,000 years old. |
The first to manufacture it for human use were the Egyptians. Oils, balsamic essences, ointments, resins diluted in wine… A whole range of products used for medicine, cosmetics, and the embalming process. It was so important to them that they even had a god of perfume, Nefertum.
Ancient Rome and Christianity
It was with the Romans that fragrances began to be used as part of personal hygiene, especially by women and all social classes. Many recipes, both Roman and Greek, still survive. However, with the arrival of Christianity, it ceased to be used regularly, except among the upper classes. During the Middle Ages, a time when personal hygiene was not widespread, women anointed themselves with strong, long-lasting fragrances like ambergris.
It was with alchemy and the Arab civilization that experimentation and the development of perfume resurfaced.The discovery of alcohol as a solvent for essences led to the creation of finer, longer-lasting aromas. The Arab people, who landed in Spain, spread the culture of perfume throughout Europe.
For the Chinese, the sense of smell has been one of the most important, so essences and perfumes have always held great power for them. Moreover, one of the obligatory arts presented in the "Kamasutra" is that of perfuming oneself. As early as the 6th century, they had large plantations dedicated to perfume production. Flowers were cultivated so that their petals could be pressed to extract their essence. Currently, there are many types of perfumes and millions of ways to obtain them. With the advent of synthetic fragrances, it's even possible to create entirely new scents that don't exist in nature. New techniques allow us to unravel different essences to create equivalent perfumes. Discovering the entire range we offer, choosing the essence that best suits your personality, is an unbeatable way to honor the creator of perfume.
The Arrival of Alchemy
Perfume in the East
Perfume Today
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