The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants / With Instructions for the Manufacture of Perfumes for the Handkerchief, Scented Powders, Odorous Vinegars, Dentifrices, Pomatums, Cosmetics, Perfumed Soap, Etc., to which is Added an Appendix on Preparing Artificial Fruit-Essences, Etc.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

16378

Title

The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants / With Instructions for the Manufacture of Perfumes for the Handkerchief, Scented Powders, Odorous Vinegars, Dentifrices, Pomatums, Cosmetics, Perfumed Soap, Etc., to which is Added an Appendix on Preparing Artificial Fruit-Essences, Etc.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1857 manual by G. W. Septimus Piesse explores the art of extracting floral scents and manufacturing perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics. Blending historical context with practical recipes, it champions the olfactory sense as vital to health and refinement while exposing commercial adulterations in the Victorian perfume trade.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Art of Perfumery*, G. W. Septimus Piesse presents a comprehensive guide to the history, science, and manufacture of fragrances, arguing that the sense of smell is often undervalued despite its critical role in detecting impure air and aiding the health of invalids. Piesse contrasts the advanced flower farms of France, Italy, and the Balkans with the British horticultural industry, which he critiques for neglecting the cultivation of odor-bearing plants and wasting potential wealth. The text details methods for extracting essential oils through distillation, maceration, and expression, providing extensive lists of plants such as rose, lavender, and geranium, along with specific recipes for artificial fruit essences and cosmetics. A significant portion of the work addresses the adulteration of genuine oils, such as otto of rose, with cheaper substitutes like geranium oil, and explains the chemical production of nitrobenzol as an artificial almond oil. Through correspondence sections, Piesse vigorously defends the integrity of natural perfumery against erroneous claims that cow-house drainings or chemical artifices are primary sources of delicate scents, clarifying that such materials are used for flavoring confectionery rather than true floral perfumery. The book serves as both a technical manual for manufacturers and an educational text for the public, emphasizing the economic potential of flower cultivation and the importance of distinguishing between true floral essences and confectionery flavorings. It covers a wide array of products, including perfumed soaps, scented powders, dentifrices, pomades, and hair washes, offering practical instructions for their creation and the detection of impurities.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16378.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg16378.epub

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2026-08-14 04:48 UTC

Categories

• Cosmetics
• Perfumes