The word perfume is used today to describe scented mixtures and is derived from the Latin word, “per fumus,” meaning through smoke.
Perfumes have been closely linked with human civilizations for thousands of years and the art of perfumery is continuously evolving over time since its origin. In ancient times they were associated with various aspects of life including spiritual, medicinal, social, and cultural. But in today’s modern cultures, perfumes are mostly created to impart pleasant smells.
However, the art of perfumery still has an important significance in our modern days because the scents we use reveal our personality, tastes, status, affection, and much more.
What is perfume and what is perfumery?
Perfume is an element created to emanate pleasant smells. The word “perfume” is believed to have been taken from the Latin word “per fumus” which means “through smoke”. As the name suggests, in ancient times pleasant smells were produced by burning aromatic herbs and incense.
But today, the term perfume is used to denominate scented mixtures made from aromatic compounds, fragrant essential oils, solvents, and fixatives.
Perfume is also known as “Attar” which is derived from the Persian word “itir” and the Arabic word “itr“.
The word perfumery refers to the craftsmanship of making perfumes. It unites both science as well as art. In the early days, the art of perfumery was not just related to scents, but also medicines, spiritualities, and other aspects of cultures.
France
quickly became the European center of perfume and cosmetic manufacture. Cultivation of flowers for their perfume essence, which had begun in the 14th century, grew into a major industry in the south of France mainly in Grasse now considered the world capital of perfume. During the Renaissance period, perfumes were used primarily by royalty and the wealthy to mask body odors resulting from the sanitary practices of the day. Partly due to this patronage, the western perfumery industry was created. Perfume enjoyed huge success during the 17th century. Perfumed gloves became popular in France and in 1656, the guild of glove and perfume-makers was established. Perfumers were also known to create poisons; for instance, a French duchess was murdered when a perfume/poison was rubbed into her gloves and was slowly absorbed into her skin.
