Innovation No. 44 of 77 in the book
Perfume
Scented wax cones that melted slowly through the day
- When
- c. 1350 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
At New Kingdom banquets, around 1350 BCE, elegant Egyptians are shown wearing cones of scented fat on their heads — widely read as the first ‘time-release’ perfume.
Through the evening the cone was thought to melt in the heat, trickling perfumed oil down the wig and shoulders and keeping the wearer sweet-smelling for hours.
Whatever the cones exactly were, the industry behind them is not in doubt: Egypt blended flowers, myrrh and resins into prized perfumes traded across the ancient world.
The art of wearing a signature scent was perfected on the Nile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for perfume in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1350 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). At New Kingdom banquets, around 1350 BCE, elegant Egyptians are shown wearing cones of scented fat on their heads — widely read as the first ‘time-release’ perfume.
How did ancient Egyptians develop perfume, and what is its legacy?
Through the evening the cone was thought to melt in the heat, trickling perfumed oil down the wig and shoulders and keeping the wearer sweet-smelling for hours. Through the evening the cone was thought to melt in the heat, trickling perfumed oil down the wig and shoulders and keeping the wearer sweet-smelling for hours. The art of wearing a signature scent was perfected on the Nile.