Some rare bottles you can see in the museum

1300 BC

This perfume vessel discovered in modern Bulgaria was made by the Thracians (an ancient people of southeastern Europe) and dates back to 1300 BC.

CIRCA 100AD

At the time of the Roman Empire, perfume was initially only used during religious ceremonies and at the funerals of prominent people. But its use became “frenzied”, says Daniela Kumanov, during the reign of Nero (from 54AD). Perfume was sprayed on floors and walls and the Romans even put it on their horses and dogs. Perfume fountains also became de rigueur.

OLD DUTCH BOTTLE

In the 15th century, the Netherlands had the fastestdeveloping perfume technology due to its involvement in international trade, including the spice trade. The Dutch used a lot of mixed spices as well as flowers, herbs, musk and amber to make perfumes.

1921

The flagship of French perfume house Guerlain, Shalimar was created in 1921 as a nod to Indian Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom he built the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. The bottle, by Raymond Guerlain, was inspired by Eastern gardens and Mongolian stupa art and manufactured by Baccarat Crystal.

1930

The Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika (KWV) was founded in 1918 as a winemaking co-operative by South African farmers. In 1930, it started producing alternatives to wine for export, including grape juice and a KWV eau de cologne, which was crafted by the master distiller as a marketing tool.