We are pleased to offer you a limited supply of reproduction 17th, 18th and early 19th century perfumes, ranging from the reign of James II to the early Regency era. Based on surviving formulas and historical texts, our perfumes are exact reproductions, both in content, materials and formulations to those of the periods in question and come with hand blown and gold embellished glass bottles, resembling several examples from the 1700s.
Our perfumes are created using commercially available distilled grape spirits, as well as perfumer extracts and oils, as purchased from France and Switzerland, blended in Canada and strictly adhering to the processes and formulas of the original recipes. Unlike other commercially available products, these are not merely waters, but authentic reproduction perfumes and colognes. We must note that within the context of these periods, perfumes and colognes were gender-neutral and worn by men and women alike, as well as being quite fluid in terms of class usage (everyone wants to smell beautiful). We must note that these are not light scents, these are rather powerful and not to be sprayed, please use the period applicator for a light touch on the wrists, neck, or bosom.
Our glass bottles have been produced for us in North Africa and while quite delicate, they resemble several period examples and include a topper with a period applicator. The perfumes themselves come in 10ml volumes, within sterile sealed glass bottles, that you may open as to pour the required volume of perfume, into your reproduction bottles (this prevents spillage, unwanted scents spreading and preserves your perfumes). While supplies will be readily available, they will take a few days to restock, so check back in a few days if our bottles are sold out (each bottle is unique). Select your preferred bottle from the labelled image herein, and send us a note with your preferred scent. Should there be an issue, we will advise you.
Perfumes and Colognes:
1. Bouquet de la Reine
Based upon the formula of Jean-Louis Fargeon, perfumer to Marie Antoinette and being her personal scent, this perfume contains quite a powerful floral bouquet, with hints of watermelon and a spring floral garden. Dating to the 1770s and 1780s, this perfume includes Alcoholum , Aqua, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia, Polianthes Tuberosa, Viola Tricolor, Rosa Damascena and Citrus Aurantium Amara. For those who require it, this is a vegan perfume with no animal products, or biproducts.
2. A Pleasant Perfume
Based upon a 1760s-1810s formula, this historic scent is quite a unique blend and while quite powerful by modern standards, this represents your most common variety of scent within the period. With (synthetic owing to legal requirements) ambergis, civet (synthetic, also for legal reasons) and musk (authentic), this would have been quite an expensive scent, but widely available. Civet and Ambergris are noted as being some of the most expensive extracts of the period and while these are synthetic, they perfectly match existing samples of each. The perfume has a powerful and varied floral bouquet, easing into a very light sweet musk. The perfume includes Alcoholum, Aqua, Lavandula Angustifolia, Rosa Damascena, Eugenia Caryophyllus, Ambergris T Oliffac, Moschus moschiferus L and Civet Artificial.
3. Essence of Ambergris
Dating from the 1660s to the early 1810s in usage, this is perhaps our most exotic and decadent scent, making use of synthetic civet and ambergris, as well as natural musk. These ingredients would have cost a fortune by today's standards and even to date, represent a significant financial investment as to reproduce. While all scents are gender neutral within the period, this would be quite a potent "masculine" scent by modern sensibilities and is unlike anything that we can describe today. This perfume has a rich sweet and buttery tone, reminiscent of caramel, with hints of civet and sweet scents of musk and ambergris, this will give you the closest sample of a popular perfume in upper class circles; this is a truly unique historical treasure, for those willing to be truly adventurous. We must note that this perfume includes Alcoholum, Aqua, Sucrose, Moschus moschiferus L, Ambergris T Oliffac and Civet Artificial.
4. Eau de Cologne, as of Germany
Dating to the 1740s onward, this cologne represents the most common and often believed to be original blend of cologne, with this recipe being of a French document, purporting to reproduce this unique "German" scent. Resembling in odour an orange grove on the salt water coast of Portugal, this cologne starts off with a powerful citrus top note and blends into an herbal base note, lingering with a green tea scent in between. This perfume contains Alcoholum, Aqua, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia, Citrus Medica Limonum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis and Rosmarinus Officinalis. For those who require it, this is a vegan perfume with no animal products, or by-products.
5. An Energising Perfume
An 18th century perfume, popular amongst all classes, this scent is wonderful for both men and women, with a potent and sweet floral scent, reminiscent of walking into a botanical garden and made with some of the most unique and rare ingredients of the time, inclusive of the elusive fragrance of water lily. This is definitely quite a treat an a perfume that would go nicely with any occasion, or as an everyday historic scent, most definitely not being an overly powerful fragrance. We must note that this perfume includes Alcoholum, Aqua, Lavandula Angustifolia, Moschus Moschiferus L, Origanum Marjorana, Thymus Vulgaris, Eugenia Caryophyllus and Nymphaea Alba.
6. The Bosphorus Bouquet
Dating to the second half ot the 18th century and the Regency era, this fragrance has a noticeable hint of a refreshing sea breeze with a stronger top note resembling herbal candies, exotic and not overly powerful, this is quite an interesting mixture. While not fruity, the candy and herbal scents are quite something and one to definitely try, especially considering that includes exotic and rate ingredients such as cassie and tuberose. We must note that this perfume includes Alcoholum, Aqua, Citrus Aurantium Amara, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis, Jasminum Officinale, Rosa Damascena, Acacia Farnesiana, Polianthes Tuberosa and Civet Artificial. For those who require it, this is a vegan perfume with no animal products, or by-products, containing artificial (not natural) civet.
7. Bouquet D’Amour
Quite a unique scent from the 18th century onward, this fragrance has a noticeable floral base note with a stronger top note resembling candied cherries, exotic and not overly powerful, this is quite an interesting mixture that settles in as the day progresses into a much lighter scent. We must note that this perfume includes Alcoholum, Aqua, Rosa Damascena, Jasminum Officinale, Viola Tricolor, Acacia Farnesiana, Moschus Moschiferus L, Ambergris T Oliffac.
As noted, select your bottle of choice from the labelled image, note in the comments when checking out the scent of preference and we will ensure that you receive the combination of your choice and advise you should there be any issues. Should we be out of bottles, remember that each is unique, but we will list more within a few days of supplies running low.
All perfumes have been submitted to the Canadian Federal government as for documentation and safety requirements.
All items are sold as is and are produced on a per order basis; each work is a custom piece and reproduced (where applicable) by hand and using period materials as close as possible to the original materials used in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. All items may be subject to a delay and currently each item will require one to two weeks to produce and ship from our workshop, unless otherwise noted.
This item is made to order and will be ready in less than one to two weeks (usually sooner) from the order date.
All bespoke modern and historical clothing and items are dependent upon the measurements provided by you, the buyer and we cannot take responsibility for misfitting items as a result of improperly provided measurements and associated requirements. Custom fitting appointments are available in person and virtually, for those who require them and where applicable; please contact us as to arrange such an appointment.
Please contact us for special requests, specific items that you might have in mind and other such requirements that we might be able to assist you with. All items are sold as is and subject to the returns and exchange policies noted for this shop; please see all policies.