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Ancient Egyptian Perfume
Préparation du Parfum
The word 'perfume' is derived from the Latin 'per-fumus' (or per-fumum) which means 'through smoke' and probably some 70% of ancient Egyptian perfumes were not worn against the skin as we do today, but rather burnt over a charcoal brazier. The idea being the scent would seep into skin, clothing and hair through the smoke. They also often soaked the fragrant woods and resins in water and oil, and then rubbed their bodies with the liquid.
Perfumes weren’t made to attract the opposite sex; they were made to attract the goodwill of the gods. In the ancient Egyptian language there are many different words for perfume like 'sti-netjer' which is fragrance of the gods, 'mrht-netjer' which is unguent of the gods, or 'mdt-netjer' which is ointment of the gods and 'kbhw-netjer' which is a perfumed libation to the gods. The difference between 'sti-netjer' and 'sn-netjer' is that 'sn-netjer' is usually used for powdered or resin incense scent.
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Oils
5th Dynasty tomb of Iymery at Giza
The oil pressing scene in the 5th Dynasty tomb of Iymery at Giza, is accompanied by a depiction of a row of jars, each inscribed with the name of one of the Seven Sacred Oils, also known as mrht. The seven sacred oils are setji-heb oil (festival perfume), sefetji oil, hekenu oil (oil of praising), nekhenem oil, tewat oil, ash oil (best quality oil of conifer or cedar) and tjehenu oil (best quality oil from Libya).
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Incense
Ramesses III and Khaemwaset
The word 'incense' is derived from the Latin verb 'incendere' which means 'to burn' and was used in temple rituals as offerings to the gods, and also for purifying purposes. The incense of ancient Egypt consisted mainly of the drops of perfume oils, grains of resin, aromatic wood chips, crumbled bark, berries, leaves and flowers either used alone or in blends. Then the incense was compressed into small balls, cakes and cones, and either thrown onto open flames or burnt on glowing charcoal.
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Perfume
La préparation du parfum de lis règne de Psammétique II
The perfumes of ancient Egypt consisted mainly of fragrant oils and fats (ointments). The method of extracting perfume from from flowers, seeds, gum-resins or other fragant substances stepped in oil was by wringing or squeezing in a cloth or sack. This is illustrated by several representations from tomb walls like the Lintel from the tomb of Païrkep (Psametikmerneith) with bas-relief sculpture: making lily perfume.
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Perfume Cones
Relief from the tomb of Khaemhat on the West Bank at Luxor
On speacial occasions such as banquets, sweet-smelling unguents in the shape of a cone were placed on top of wigs of the upper class women. These cones were composed of perfumed or incense-laden fat, grease or wax which slowly melted, perfuming the body and garment with a sticky, sweet, aromatic fragrance. Illustrations of perfume cones began to appear in the New Kingdom like for example in the relief from the tomb of Khaemhat on the West Bank at Luxor. It has been suggested that perfume cones may have been merely symbolic of the fact that the individual was wearing a perfumed or scented wig.
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Sources
La Préparation du Parfum - Lourve
Pressing of Unguents - Lepsius 1849-59: II, Bl.49
Tomb of Khaemhat & Tomb Khaemwaset - Tour Egypt
The Spirit of Ancient Egypt By Ana Ruiz
Oils and Perfumes of Ancient Egypt by Joann Fletcher
Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries By A. Lucas, John Richard Harris, J. Harris
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Dwelling
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