Impact Of Fine Fragrance On The Evolution Of Man

By Perla M James


Perfume has very ancient origins. The first recorded use was several thousand years ago. Egyptians were the first to use it. It was later adopted by the Arabs, Chinese and the Romans. The origin of the word Perfume is form the Latin language; per meaning through and fumus means smoke. Myrrh and Frankincense were the earliest such fine fragrance that was burnt especially during the religious ceremonies and other festivals. Perfumed oils were also used as applications for cosmetic and medicinal uses. Greeks and Romans thus developed a liking for bathing in scented water.

The first modern perfume was introduced in 1370 by request of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. The new scent was known all over Europe as Hungary Water. Perfume in England rose in popularity during the Tudor period. Queen Elizabeth I couldn't stand the foul smell of public places and had them doused in perfume.

It was only during the beginning of the 1700s, that the French accepted fragrances into their lives. It was the Perfumed gloves that sparked the constituting in 1656 of the Guild-of-Glove and-Perfume Makers. It is said that Louis XV became so infatuated with it that he used to spray them on his skin, his clothes and on the furniture and fittings in the house.

Perfume as was developed further at the beginning of the 18th century. The fresh new fragrance was called Eau de Cologne a delicate mixture of citrous oils in alcohol. Invented in 1709 by Italian Giovanni Maria Farina the new scent was named after his adopted home town. However perfume was not for the masses due to the huge expense it was a luxury item limited to wealthy.

The bottles of the fragrances and fine fragrances were as important as the fragrances themselves. At the start, the bottles were of clay and of stone. Towards the turnoff the century the containers began to be made of metal or of glass. The scent deteriorated when it came in contact with air and also light. So, it was important to keep them secure form these. Glass with had been manufactured by man since 4000 B. C. Only became the popular material for bottles after the 18 Century. It is said that Louis XIV made glass fragrance containers shaped like pears.

Perfumes were further improved by chemists in the beginning of the 1900s. Alchemists had made them in a way that was entirely different till now. America started to create its fashion statements using Perfumes in the 1920s. Chemists were employed by almost fashion houses to create exclusive scents for them. Now there are so many different fine fragrances and scents which are marketed by celebrities and fashion houses with equal fervor. This billion dollar industry has captured in the imagination of people the world over.




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