ancient eau de cologne

Numerous vintage, antique or historic formulations exist, based on wine spirits with little information on the typicity of the botanical materials used, making reproduction difficult. At the time, this ancient recipe was said to be a miraculous water, a purifying medicine. People drank this elixir, a historic aroma, and perfumed their entire bodies with it. It was a source of beauty and youth, and was used until the 18th century. These ancient notes with their retro fragrances have recently been brought up to date by ODORE SCOLA, with its room spray and candle "Eau du Jardin des plantes", a fragrant heritage dominated by rosemary. Not a retro perfume or vintage creation, but a water modernized by saline notes, in homage to the aqueous sea spray of Montpellier.

During the Renaissance, the art of perfumery flourished, thanks in part to Catherine de Medici's personal perfumer, but above all to Louis XIV, the most perfumed king in history who, instead of taking baths, used to rub his body with perfumed towels. It was under his reign that master glove makers were authorized to become perfumers. Eau de Cologne, meanwhile, was introduced during the reign of Louis XV, at the Court of Versailles, which was nicknamed the Perfumed Court. In 1695, Milan-born Giovanni Paolo Feminis created the first formula for aqua mirabilis, inspired by the initial work of the nuns at Florence's Santa Novella convent. He passed on the precious heirloom formula to his nephew, Jean-Antoine Farina, an apothecary in Cologne, Germany, who passed on the inherited fragrance to his grandson Jean-Marie Farina. It was at this time that Jean-Marie Farina became the sole owner in Europe of this water, which was named "Eau de Cologne" for the first time. Although the paternity of Eau de Cologne is generally attributed to Jean-Marie Farina in 1709, it would seem that Jean-Marie Farina was merely its ambassador. This is an early version.

The origins of the real Eau de Cologne remain unclear to this day, fuelling mystery and controversy. According to other accounts, the recipe for this ancient perfume escaped from the doors of a monastery, and it was an Italian grocer by the name of Giovanni Pablo Feminis who got hold of it before settling in Cologne, Germany, in 1690, before passing on the recipe to his great-grand-nephew, perfumer Jean-Marie Farina. Seduced by this fresh, light solution, Farina is said to have made a few modifications to the original formulation, notably adding aromatic essences of lavender and bergamot. He then set up a factory in Cologne to manufacture and market his creation. His Aqua Mirabilis di Colonia was launched in 1709. In Paris, Farina's grandson founded Maison Jean-Marie Farina in 1806, at 331 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, which was taken over sixty years later by Armand Roger and Charles Gallet. It is said that the original formula for this admirable eau de toilette was transferred to them. Still on the market today, it's called Eau de Cologne Extra-Vieille, but with changes in regulations, we can imagine...

The ancient Eau de Cologne, a creation of the past, an essence of yesteryear, was the favorite perfume of Louis XV, Louis XVI and Napoleon, its most famous consumer. For Napoleon and Josephine, only Jean-Marie Farina's creations and the traditional formula were allowed to take their place on his dressing table. On the eve of every battle plan preparation, Napoleon, it is said, always kept a small, historic bottle close at hand. Eau de Cologne, a classic essence, became known for its many virtues, but its medical character disappeared fairly quickly, as from 1810 the image of Eau de Cologne became that of an eau de toilette for external use only. This was directly linked to Napoleon 1st's creation of the Commission des Remèdes Secrets in 1810. It required apothecary perfumers to disclose their formulas in order to judge the veracity of their therapeutic virtues. This decree formalized the separation of pharmacy and perfumery.

What is ancient Eau de Cologne?

According to a 19th-century book, the original Eau de Cologne is made from ingredients derived from the following plant materials: melissa, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, hyssop, wormwood, lavender flowers, angelica root, cardamom, juniper berries, anise seed, caraway seed, fennel seed, cinnamon bark, nutmeg, cloves, lemon peel and bergamot extracts.

Each perfumer offers a signature fragrance of yesteryear, adding his or her own personal touch to the ingredients of yesteryear. If we had to name an essential vintage Eau de Cologne, it would certainly be 4711, the Eau impériale that Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain offered, in 1853, to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Eau de Cologne was gradually democratized, perfuming most of the population. By the 1930s, this ancestral fragrance was the best-selling, heritage perfume for the whole family, men, women and children alike. In the 1970s, these notes from the past began to be abandoned in favor of less expensive traditional perfumes, which last longer and last longer on the skin. Since the 2000s, Eau de Cologne has made a comeback in the perfume tradition. This classic perfume with its retro notes has been modernized in a society that favors a return to vintage scents, perfumes from bygone days with vintage recipes, retro scents, favoring natural citrus and aromatic ingredients, in old-fashioned or, on the contrary, inspired and very modern bottles.

Why choose ancient Eau de Cologne?

Ancient Eau de Cologne, a fragrance from the past, may be preferred for several reasons:

For its authenticity and history

Ancient Eau de Cologne has a rich, authentic history, often associated with traditional recipes and manufacturing methods dating back centuries.

For traditional formulation

Traditional Eau de Cologne formulations are often perceived as more natural and artisanal, using authentic ingredients and manufacturing techniques inherited from the past.

For classic elegance

An olfactory heritage, Eau de Cologne Ancienne often evokes classic, timeless elegance, associated with subtle, refined fragrances that have passed through the ages with grace and sophistication.

What are the characteristics of an ancient Eau de Cologne?

Antique Eaux de Cologne are generally characterized by several distinctive features Fresh, lemony notes: Traditional Eaux de Cologne are often composed of fresh citrus notes, such as lemon, bergamot or mandarin, reminiscent of the notes inherited from ancient Eaux de Cologne, giving them a light, refreshing scent.

A simple composition: Unlike some contemporary fragrances, which may contain a large number of ingredients, old-fashioned Eaux de Cologne generally have a simpler composition, highlighting a few key ingredients to create a balanced, harmonious scent. A lower concentration of fragrance ingredients or the presence of predominant top notes: Traditional Eaux de Cologne are often made with a lower concentration of fragrance ingredients, giving them a light aromatic quality and a revitalizing sensation of freshness on the skin through the presence of citrus or citrus notes. Antique Eaux de Cologne are generally designed to be light and subtle, ideal for everyday wear to refresh the skin without being overpowering.

How to recognize an authentic eau de Cologne?

Identifying an authentic Eau de Cologne Antique, a creation of the past in a bottle of yesteryear, in an old historic bottle can be a challenge. Authentic antique colognes may have distinctive labeling and packaging. Look for old labels with typography and designs specific to the era in which they were produced, for a nostalgic fragrance. Bottles can also have unique features, such as sculpted glass stoppers or engraved motifs symbolic of old perfumes. If possible, try to find period documents or advertisements that show what the Eau de Cologne you're trying to authenticate looked like. Provenance can also be an important factor in confirming authenticity. An old-fashioned creation or an old-fashioned bottle filling are not synonymous with historic fragrances or ancient essences. The color of Eau de Cologne can be an indicator of aged fragrance. Some old Eaux de Cologne tend to darken over time, while others remain light. Compare the color with vintage photos if possible. It may also be interesting to look for maker's marks or seals on the bottle that may be associated with well-known manufacturers of the time. These marks can provide clues as to the authenticity of the Eau de Cologne.

How to store an Eau de Cologne to preserve its quality?

To preserve the quality of an Eau de Cologne, it's best to store it in a cool, dark place. Light and heat can alter the fragrance of Eau de Cologne. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Temperature fluctuations can affect the quality of Eau de Cologne. Choose a place where the temperature remains relatively constant, ideally between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Keep the bottle closed to prevent evaporation of fragrance and oxidation by air.

For more informations on Eau de Cologne, click on the links below:

Eau de Cologne for women, Eau de Cologne for men, Eau de Cologne lemon fragrance, Orange blossom eau de Cologne, Eau de Cologne Jasmine, Lavender Eau de Cologne, Mint Eau de Cologne, Cyprus Eau de Cologne.