An Allegory of 19th Century Floris Perfume
The extraordinary period of Regency and Victorian Britain
The 19th century saw a dramatic evolution in perfume trends, influenced by social, technological, and cultural changes from the Regency to the Victorian era. Floris, adeptly captured and contributed to these trends, reflecting the shifting tastes and advancements of the time.
Until the end of the 18th century Europeans smelt strongly, washing one’s body was an infrequent pastime. The school of thought of the day was that if you were heavily perfumed this would ward of illness and cover natural bodily odors. Heavy notes of odalisque aromas of musk and spices were favored. In the upper echelons of society, perfuming oneself could take hours.
From the powdering of one’s hair, to the servant bringing a perfume burner, the house was also scented extensively. Fumigating rooms and clothes, perfume cakes were set upon hot coals. Floors covered in blossom. Thought to disinfect and prevent airborne illness. Pomanders composed of ambergris and benzoin were hung from belts and trinkets of scent were placed upon the neck. Even the family hound was perfumed. It was an era of heavy aromas and covering unpleasant ones, due to the lack of sanitation and washing oneself happening rather infrequently.
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Night Scented Jasmine (1806)
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Red Rose (1807)
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Stephanotis (1816)
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Bouquet de la Reine (1840)
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Limes (1850)
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Sandalwood (1870)
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Special No 127 (1890)
This was all to change at the beginning of the 19th century, as the Regency era was ushered in. The beginning of an urban economy and a new wave of lighter delicate and fresher scents came about, Lavender, Rose, Jasmine and Citrus were all to become popular.
As the Victorian era emerged, the personalisation of scents and wider accessibility increased the popularity and market size, due to the burgeoning middle class, coupled with technological advances allowed for a greater range and variety of perfume.
Influenced by the arrival of florals and exotic ingredients from the expanding British empire, coupled with the technology to extract the oils from these new blooms . Scents featuring vanilla and exotic florals such as, ylang ylang and tuberose. The later half of the century, peach, spices and resins were introduced.
The 19th century is a collage of exciting inventions and social reform and enlightenment. A vibrant period of literature, art and philosophy, and the invention of the telegraph and telephone, the steam locomotive define the innovation of this era.
Floris created a range of scents throughout this century that reflected the tastes and trends of this incredible century.
The Duke of Wellington, A leading political and military figure of the 19th century, the Duke of Wellington is best remembered for his defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815. As a general, he was renowned for his stunning defensive skills. His battle plans are still studied in military academies today.
Today, Floris takes pride in scenting individuals with the same zest and creativity as the scents invented in the 19th century. These perfumes have stood the test of time and continue to create an impact. Why not order a sample today to discover these special scents.
