1743 Perfume: The Scent of History and Elegance

Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the latest trends and insights on perfumes and fragrances. Today, we are going to talk about a very special perfume that has a rich history and a unique charm: 1743 perfume.

What is 1743 perfume, you may ask? Well, it is not just a perfume, but a collection of perfumes inspired by the 18th century, the golden era of perfumery. The name 1743 refers to the year when King Louis XV commissioned the Chevaux de Marly, a group of exquisite statues of horses that still stand at the entrance of the palace of Versailles[^1^]. The king was so obsessed with fragrance that he was known as the “perfumed court”, and he wanted to create a perfumery that would rival the best in Europe. He invited the most talented perfumers of his time to create scents for him and his courtiers, using rare and exotic ingredients from all over the world.

The Parfums de Marly Brand

The Parfums de Marly brand was founded in 2009 by Julien Sprecher, a French entrepreneur who wanted to revive the splendor of the 18th century perfumery. He was fascinated by the history and the art of fragrance, and he decided to create a brand that would pay tribute to the legacy of King Louis XV and his passion for horses. He named his brand after the Château de Marly, a former royal residence where the king used to host lavish parties and enjoy his collection of horses[^1^].

The Parfums de Marly brand offers a range of perfumes for men and women, each one inspired by a different horse breed or a historical figure from the 18th century. The perfumes are created by renowned perfumers who use high-quality ingredients and sophisticated techniques to create complex and refined compositions. The bottles are elegant and minimalist, with a rounded rectangular shape and an emblem of two horses standing on their hind legs. The packaging is also luxurious and refined, with a black or white color scheme and gold accents[^1^].

Some of the Most Popular Perfumes from Parfums de Marly

Parfums de Marly has a wide variety of perfumes to suit different tastes and occasions. Here are some of the most popular ones:

  • Layton: A spicy oriental fragrance for men, inspired by the Arabian horse breed. It has notes of bergamot, lavender, apple, geranium, violet, jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, cardamom, pepper, and guaiac wood[^1^]. It is a warm and sensual scent that is perfect for winter or evening wear.
  • Pegasus: A woody oriental fragrance for men, inspired by the mythical winged horse. It has notes of bergamot, heliotrope, almond, lavender, jasmine, ambergris, vanilla, sandalwood, and cedar[^1^]. It is a sweet and creamy scent that is ideal for autumn or daytime wear.
  • Delina: A floral fruity fragrance for women, inspired by the Turkish horse breed. It has notes of lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, rose, peony, lily of the valley, vanilla, musk, cashmere wood, and incense[^1^]. It is a fresh and feminine scent that is great for spring or summer wear.
  • Cassili: A floral gourmand fragrance for women, inspired by the Spanish horse breed. It has notes of plum, red currant, Bulgarian rose, mimosa, frangipani, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla[^1^]. It is a sweet and floral scent that is suitable for any season or occasion.

How to Choose the Right Perfume from Parfums de Marly

With so many options available from Parfums de Marly, how can you choose the right one for you? Here are some tips to help you:

  • Know your preferences: Think about what kind of scents you like or dislike. Do you prefer fresh or warm scents? Floral or woody scents? Sweet or spicy scents? Knowing your preferences will help you narrow down your choices and find the perfume that matches your personality and mood.
  • Try before you buy: The best way to find out if a perfume suits you is to try it on your skin. You can visit a Parfums de Marly boutique or a retailer that carries the brand and ask for a sample or a tester. Spray the perfume on your wrist or behind your ear and wait for a few minutes to let it develop. Then, smell it and see how you feel about it. You can also ask for a second opinion from a friend or a salesperson.
  • Consider the occasion: Different perfumes can suit different occasions, depending on the season, the time of day, the setting, and the dress code. For example, you may want to wear a lighter and fresher scent for a casual daytime event in summer, and a richer and warmer scent for a formal evening event in winter. You may also want to have more than one perfume in your collection, so you can switch them up depending on your mood and the occasion.

The History and Culture of Perfume in the 18th Century

Perfume has been used by humans for thousands of years, but it reached its peak of popularity and sophistication in the 18th century, especially in France. The 18th century was a period of social, political, and cultural change, marked by the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the rise of the bourgeoisie. It was also a period of artistic and scientific innovation, with advances in painting, music, literature, philosophy, and chemistry. Perfume was part of this creative and intellectual movement, as perfumers experimented with new ingredients, methods, and styles to create scents that reflected the tastes and values of the time.

Perfume was not only a luxury product, but also a symbol of status, identity, and expression. It was used by both men and women of all classes and professions, from royalty and nobility to merchants and artists. Perfume was also used for various purposes, such as hygiene, health, seduction, communication, and ritual. Perfume was applied not only to the body, but also to clothes, accessories, furniture, and even fountains. Perfume was also an important part of fashion and etiquette, as different scents were associated with different seasons, occasions, moods, and personalities.

The Influence of King Louis XV on Perfume

King Louis XV was one of the most influential figures in the history of perfume. He was born in 1710 and became king of France in 1715 at the age of five. He ruled until his death in 1774. He was known as the “Well-Beloved” by his subjects, but also as the “Perfumed Court” by his critics. He had a passion for perfume that was unmatched by any other monarch. He loved perfume so much that he had his own personal perfumer, Jean Fargeon, who created exclusive scents for him and his mistresses. He also had a special room in his palace called the “Cabinet des Parfums”, where he stored his collection of perfumes and essences[^2^].

King Louis XV had a great impact on the development and popularity of perfume in France and beyond. He encouraged the production and trade of perfume ingredients from foreign lands, such as India, China, Arabia, and Africa. He also supported the establishment and regulation of the perfumery guilds in Paris and Grasse, which ensured the quality and reputation of French perfumes. He also influenced the trends and styles of perfume in his era. He favored floral scents over animalic ones, which were considered too heavy and vulgar. He also preferred light and fresh scents over strong and spicy ones, which were considered too masculine and aggressive. He also introduced new types of perfumes, such as eau de toilette (a diluted version of perfume), eau de cologne (a citrus-based scent), and eau de senteur (a scent made with distilled water instead of alcohol)[^2^].

The Role of Perfume in Society and Culture

Perfume played a significant role in society and culture in the 18th century. It was not only a personal choice, but also a social statement. Perfume was used to convey one’s status, identity, mood, personality, taste, and intention. It was also used to communicate with others, either subtly or overtly. For example,

  • Perfume as a sign of status: Perfume was an expensive commodity that only the wealthy could afford. It was a way to show one’s wealth, powerand influence, as well as one’s affiliation with the royal court or the aristocracy. Perfume was also a way to distinguish oneself from the lower classes, who were often associated with bad smells and diseases. Perfume was also a way to display one’s taste and refinement, as well as one’s knowledge of the latest trends and fashions.
  • Perfume as a sign of identity: Perfume was a way to express one’s individuality and personality, as well as one’s gender and age. Perfume was also a way to reflect one’s mood and emotion, as well as one’s intention and desire. Perfume was also a way to create a personal signature or a trademark, by choosing a scent that suited one’s character and style.
  • Perfume as a sign of communication: Perfume was a way to communicate with others, either subtly or overtly. Perfume was used to attract or repel, to seduce or reject, to flirt or tease, to compliment or insult, to praise or criticize, to agree or disagree, to invite or dismiss, to celebrate or mourn, to honor or dishonor, to thank or apologize, to congratulate or console, and so on. Perfume was also used to create a bond or a connection with others, by sharing or exchanging scents, by giving or receiving perfumes as gifts, by wearing the same or similar scents, by matching or contrasting scents, by blending or layering scents, and so on.

The Art and Science of Perfume in the 18th Century

Perfume was not only a product, but also an art and a science in the 18th century. Perfumers were both artists and chemists, who combined creativity and skill to create scents that appealed to the senses and the mind. Perfumers used various ingredients, methods, and techniques to create perfumes that were complex and refined.

Some of the ingredients that perfumers used in the 18th century were:

  • Natural ingredients: These were derived from plants, animals, or minerals. They included flowers (such as rose, jasmine, orange blossom, tuberose, etc.), fruits (such as lemon, bergamot, orange, etc.), spices (such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, etc.), woods (such as sandalwood, cedarwood, etc.), resins (such as frankincense, myrrh, etc.), balsams (such as benzoin, storax, etc.), musks (such as musk deer, civet cat, etc.), ambers (such as ambergris from sperm whales), and metals (such as gold and silver).
  • Synthetic ingredients: These were created by chemical processes in laboratories. They included alcohols (such as ethanol), acids (such as acetic acid), esters (such as ethyl acetate), aldehydes (such as benzaldehyde), ketones (such as acetone), ethers (such as ethyl ether), and aromatics (such as benzene).

Some of the methods that perfumers used in the 18th century were:

  • Distillation: This was the process of separating the volatile components of a mixture by heating it and condensing the vapors. It was used to extract essential oils from plants or animal materials.
  • Enfleurage: This was the process of absorbing the fragrance of fresh flowers into a layer of fat or oil. It was used to capture the delicate scents of flowers that could not be distilled.
  • Maceration: This was the process of soaking plant or animal materials in a solvent such as alcohol or water. It was used to extract the soluble components of the materials.
  • Expression: This was the process of squeezing or pressing plant materials such as citrus peels to release their oils. It was used to obtain citrus essences.

Some of the techniques that perfumers used in the 18th century were:

  • Blending: This was the technique of mixing different ingredients together to create a harmonious composition. It involved balancing the proportions, intensities, and qualities of the ingredients, as well as creating contrasts, variations, and transitions between them.
  • Dilution: This was the technique of reducing the concentration of a perfume by adding a solvent such as alcohol or water. It was used to adjust the strength, longevity, and diffusion of a perfume, as well as to create different types of perfumes such as eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, etc.
  • Aging: This was the technique of letting a perfume mature for a period of time in a sealed container. It was used to enhance the quality, complexity, and stability of a perfume, as well as to allow the ingredients to blend and harmonize better.

A Detailed Table Breakdown Related to 1743 Perfume

To give you a better idea of what 1743 perfume is all about, here is a detailed table breakdown that compares some of the main aspects of the brand and its perfumes:

Aspect Parfums de Marly
Founder Julien Sprecher
Year of establishment 2009
Inspiration The 18th century, the golden era of perfumery, King Louis XV, and his passion for horses
Number of perfumes 29 (as of 2021)
Target audience Men and women who appreciate luxury, history, and elegance
Price range $210-$375 for 75 ml or 125 ml bottles
Average rating 4.3 out of 5 stars (based on 6,527 reviews on Fragrantica)
Best-selling perfumes Layton, Pegasus, Delina, Herod, Carlisle
Awards and recognitions – The Fragrance Foundation Awards France 2018: Best Niche Fragrance for Women for Delina
– The Fragrance Foundation Awards USA 2019: Consumer Choice Award for Women’s Prestige for Delina Exclusif
– The Fragrance Foundation Awards UK 2020: Best New Independent Fragrance for Kalan