jiuyu perfumery

Perfume, as an aromatic vessel transcending time and space, carries the complex narratives of religion, power, romance, and technology. From the incense curling through ancient Egyptian temples to molecular synthesis in modern laboratories, fragrance is not merely a scent—it is a condensed chronicle of human civilization.

Origins: Sacred Aromas and Symbols of Power

1. “Divine Fragrance” of Ancient Egypt
Egyptians in 3000 BCE used spices to embalm mummies, believing aromas guided souls to heaven. Cleopatra bathed in 15 perfumes and even soaked her ship sails in fragrance as political intimidation. The perfumed oil jars found in Tutankhamun’s tomb attest to its role in religion and aristocracy.

2. East-West Spice Trade
Arabs refined distillation techniques, while Persian roses traveled the Silk Road to Europe, becoming medieval status symbols. In Burgundy courts, perfumes served as “invisible currency”—nobles used specific notes to signal alliances, even including them in dowries.

Revolution: Clash of Science and Art

1. From Alchemy to Modern Chemistry
Persian scholar Avicenna’s 10th-century distillation methods laid perfume’s industrial foundation. The 19th-century creation of synthetic aromachemicals (e.g., coumarin) revolutionized the field. Guerlain’s 1889 *Jicky* pioneered modern top-middle-base note structures, while Chanel No. 5’s 1921 aldehyde compounds transformed perfume into abstract art.

2. “Scent Barriers” During Plague
17th-century European doctors used clove-and-cinnamon pouches against “miasma,” while Louis XIV turned Versailles into a “perfumed palace” masking urban stench. This duality revealed perfume’s role as both luxury and survival tool.