The History of Perfume

Fragrance has the power to connect us to people and places from the past. It takes you on a journey of self discovery and love. For thousands of years perfume has been one of the most sought after beauty products. So where did perfume originate from and why was it created? 

In this blog we explore the very rich and diverse history of perfume.

Thousands of years ago Ancient Egyptians were the first to incorporate perfume into their culture. This was followed by the ancient Chinese, Arabs, Hindus, Greeks and Romans.

Better yet, a cuneiform tablet from Mesopotamia, dating back more than 3,000 years, identifies a woman named Tapputi as the first recorded perfume maker. The use of perfume declined during the dark ages and was revived with the onset of international trade with the Muslim world.

Perfume was at first, only used in religious ceremonies by burning incense and aromatic herbs. Scents were also used to convey messages and prayers to the dead, to purify the body and to conduct embalming ceremonies. Soon people discovered that perfume could be used in everyday life for personal hygiene and for the art of seduction while making love.

As the centuries passed the popularity of perfume boomed in France during the 16th century, with the royal family of Louis XV perfuming their clothing, homes and furniture. Perfume really took off however in the 18th century with the invention of eau de Cologne. It was here where perfume was used in bathwater, in poultices and even consumed in wine!

By the 20th century major fashion houses such as Chanel launched iconic perfumes that set the standard for fragrances all over the world. Today, perfume remains to be enjoyed by everyone and has accompanied our everyday life as a unique and original expression of our identity! 

 Images: Wikimedia Commons