My Perfume Cabinet

For the third and final part of the series on the Islamic Golden Age and the genesis of modern perfumery, we will be discussing how the knowledge, techniques, and common raw materials cultivated during the Islamic Golden Age made their way to Europe and, eventually, the world. We will also take a look at their lasting legacy and how they shaped the perfume industry as we know it today! For those who may have missed them, here are  Part I   and   Part II  of the series. 

Today, we will continue the story where we left off; looking at the specific developments to perfumery and the key figures responsible for them during the Islamic Golden Age . For those who missed it, you can find Part I here !

Coming from the Gulf, I’ve been exposed to perfume, incense, and all sorts of fragrant products for as long as I can remember.  It is not an exaggeration to say that, in this part of the world, fragrance is so deeply ingrained, its use is practically instinctual.  From layering oils, lotions, and sprays to scenting your clothing and hair with burning oud chips, fragrance permeates every aspect of daily life without exception.

Although there was a wealth of fascinating information taught to us while studying raw materials as ISIPCA, one piece of information in particular caught me off guard. It seemed obvious that competition over the synthesis of new molecules by fragrance houses and associated companies to gain an edge would take place. However, what did not occur to me at the time was that this competition extended beyond aroma-chemicals to nature itself. While discussing jasmines, our professor casually mentioned that the entirety of production of one specific jasmine was purchased by a particular fragrance house to ensure competitors were not able to replicate their finished product by getting their hands on this specific botanical. At the time, I found this to be mind blowing. It felt almost God-like to me that one company could control the entire existence of a product of nature. Upon returning home, I decided to dive deeper into the subject and thought I would share my findings here!