Maderas de Oriente by Myrurgia c1918

Launched in 1918, Maderas de Oriente emerged during a period marked by the West's intense fascination with orientalism. This cultural movement saw Western artists, writers, and designers drawing inspiration from the art, architecture, and literature of the East, creating works that evoked the mystery and romance of faraway lands. The Spanish word "Maderas de Oriente" translates to "Woods of the East" in English, encapsulating this allure. In the aftermath of World War I, Europe was yearning for escapism and the exoticism promised by the East, making the launch of such a perfume timely and appealing.

Myrurgia's choice of the name "Maderas de Oriente" reflects a deliberate attempt to evoke the exotic and luxurious connotations associated with the East. The name itself suggests rich, aromatic woods, with a particular nod to sandalwood—a prized material in perfumery known for its warm, creamy scent. By including actual sandalwood sticks inside the bottle, Myrurgia not only heightened the olfactory experience but also created a tangible connection to the perfume's oriental theme.

For women of the time, a perfume called "Maderas de Oriente" would have embodied an invitation to an exotic sensory journey. It would have conjured images of opulent Eastern landscapes, adorned with lush gardens, bustling bazaars, and intricately carved palaces. The name evokes a sense of mystery, luxury, and timeless beauty, resonating deeply with contemporary desires for escapism and romantic adventure.

The emotional response to "Maderas de Oriente" would likely be one of fascination, intrigue, and desire. It invites the user to immerse themselves in a world far removed from their everyday reality, offering a moment of escape and fantasy. Women of the time would respond to this perfume with curiosity and delight, eager to experience the exotic and luxurious qualities it promised. The presence of actual sandalwood sticks inside the bottle would have reinforced the authenticity and exotic allure of the fragrance, making it not just a scent but an experience and a conversation piece.

The name "Maderas de Oriente" evokes a rich tapestry of images and emotions. It suggests a world of fragrant woods, ancient traditions, and sensory indulgence. The scent of sandalwood, a key component, would bring to mind the warmth and depth of Eastern landscapes. For women, this name would evoke fantasies of travel and exploration, of stepping into a world far removed from their everyday lives.

In the context of early 20th-century perfumery, "Maderas de Oriente" stood out as a unique name. It not only highlighted the exotic ingredients but also told a story, tapping into the cultural zeitgeist of the time. The name would be interpreted as a symbol of sophistication and worldliness, appealing to women who saw themselves as modern and cosmopolitan.

Ultimately, "Maderas de Oriente" by Myrurgia captured the essence of an era enthralled by the mystique of the East. Its name, its composition, and its presentation all worked together to create a fragrance that was more than just a scent—it was an invitation to a world of exotic enchantment.

Morisco?:

When Myrurgia sought to introduce their popular fragrance Maderas de Oriente to an international market, they likely encountered a legal challenge due to an existing fragrance bearing the same name. To navigate this complication and avoid potential copyright issues, Myrurgia chose the name "Morisco" for their fragrance outside of Spain. This alternative name allowed Myrurgia to expand the reach of Maderas de Oriente globally while respecting existing trademarks. Despite the change in name, Morisco carried the same allure and essence as Maderas de Oriente, ensuring that the fragrance's distinctive charm was preserved for international audiences.

The Spanish word "Morisco" translates to "Moorish" in English, referring to the Moors, who were Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. This term evokes images of the rich cultural and architectural heritage left by the Moors in Spain, including the intricate designs of the Alhambra, the majestic mosques, and the flourishing art and science of the period. By choosing this name, Myrurgia continued to draw on the exotic and historical allure that made Maderas de Oriente so captivating.

In summary, "Maderas de Oriente" is a name that captures the imagination and evokes a rich tapestry of images and emotions. Its allure lies in its ability to transport the user to an exotic, mysterious, and opulent world, making it a perfect name for a perfume that aims to enchant and captivate. The alternative name "Morisco" continues this tradition, drawing on the rich cultural heritage of the Moors and maintaining the fragrance's distinctive charm for international audiences.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as a sweet floral oriental perfume with women. It starts with a fresh, spicy top, followed by a spicy floral heart, resting on a subdued, powdery floral base.

• Top notes: bergamot, lemon, neroli, coriander, marjoram
• Middle notes: clove, rose, orris, cyclamen, jasmine, ylang ylang
• Base notes: sandalwood, cedar, musk, benzoin, guaiac wood

"A Fascinating Spanish Fragrance from Myrurgia. One of delightful woodsy fragrance touched by the mystery of the Orient."

The New Yorker, 1957:

"Saks Fifth Avenue makes a fuss about Maderas de Oriente, the base of which is sandalwood; its bottle is covered by a bullet-shaped wooden case with a braided tassel at the top, and half an ounce of it costs $8.25."

Product Line:

The Maderas de Oriente product line by Myrurgia, launched in 1918, offered a range of luxurious products designed to envelop the user in the exotic allure of the East. The centerpiece of this line was the parfum (extracto), a concentrated form of the fragrance that captured the rich, creamy essence of sandalwood and other precious woods. This parfum was designed for those who desired a potent and long-lasting scent, perfect for special occasions or simply to make a lasting impression.

Complementing the parfum was the perfumed lotion (locion), which served as a concentrated eau de toilette or cologne. This lotion provided a lighter, yet still richly fragrant, way to experience the exotic scent of Maderas de Oriente. It was ideal for daily use, offering a subtle yet persistent aroma that lingered on the skin. The lotion's formulation ensured that the fragrance was easily absorbed, leaving the skin feeling soft and fragrant without being overpowering.

The product line also included luxurious soap (jabon), infused with the same captivating fragrance. The olive oil based soap was crafted to create a rich, creamy lather that gently cleansed the skin while imparting the exotic scent of Maderas de Oriente. This addition to the product line allowed users to enjoy the fragrance during their daily bathing ritual, creating an immersive sensory experience that began in the bath and continued throughout the day.

Rounding out the Maderas de Oriente line was the face powder (polvos), a product that combined beauty and fragrance. The powder was finely milled to provide a smooth, even finish on the skin, enhancing the user's complexion while imparting the delicate scent of the fragrance. Packaged in elegant containers, the face powder was both a practical cosmetic item and a luxurious treat, allowing women to carry a touch of the exotic with them wherever they went.

Overall, the Maderas de Oriente product line offered a comprehensive suite of products that allowed users to fully immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the East. Each product was carefully crafted to deliver the rich, opulent scent of sandalwood and other exotic woods, providing a cohesive and luxurious experience that appealed to the senses and the imagination.

Bottles:

The Maderas de Oriente perfume, introduced in 1918 by Myrurgia, was not just a fragrance but a luxurious sensory experience meticulously presented in exquisite packaging. The parfum itself was housed in a cylindrical colorless crystal flacon, designed by Julien Viard, known for its elegant simplicity and transparency that allowed the amber-colored perfume to shine through. Initially hand enameled with the perfume's name—a later adaptation used a paper label—the flacon was a testament to the craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of early 20th-century perfumery.

To further enhance its allure, the parfum was presented inside a cylindrical wooden case adorned with the name "Maderas de Oriente" burned onto its surface. This wooden case not only protected the delicate glass flacon but also added a touch of rustic elegance, contrasting with the crystal-clear vessel within. Adding a whimsical touch, a braided yarn tassel sprouted from the cap of the wooden case, a decorative element that reflected the perfume's exotic theme.

One of the most distinctive features of the packaging was the inclusion of a small bundle of colored wooden sticks—sandalwood—that were inserted into the bottle. This detail cleverly referenced the perfume's name, "Woods of the Orient," and enriched the olfactory experience by imparting the scent of real sandalwood to the perfume. This tactile addition not only reinforced the fragrance's exotic identity but also served as a unique and memorable feature for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

In some older versions of the packaging, a paper label was affixed to the back of the wooden case, bearing a statement in Spanish that provided insight into the perfume's intricate creation process. The label read:

Nótanse en el envase los residuos que constatan la singular elaboración de este perfume. En cada frasco de origen y bajo invocaciones cabalísticas, han sido puestas en infusión dentro alcohol de flores, ramas jugosas de arbustos de las selvas Asiáticas, astilladas en cuarto creciente.

This translates to English as:

"Please observe the residues inside the packaging that confirm the distinctive creation of this perfume. In each bottle, under kabbalistic invocations, flowers and succulent branches from Asian jungle shrubs have been infused in alcohol, harvested during the waxing moon phase."

This statement not only underscored the perfume's exotic ingredients and meticulous crafting process but also added a mystical and enchanting aura to the Maderas de Oriente experience, appealing to those intrigued by the esoteric and the exotic origins of perfumery.

 

http://www.maderasdeoriente.es/eng/eng.html