MANILA, Philippines - Yes, who invented perfume? Nobody can really claim that he concocted the first scent, but one source says the Egyptians created aromatic perfumes from burning scented wood. And the Arabs introduced scents to the Italians.
In Italy, the Medici family commissioned perfumes from apothecaries or pharmacists. It was Catherine de Medici who reportedly introduced the practice of wearing scented gloves. History says Catherine had beautiful hands and loved wearing opera gloves.
When Catherine went from Italy to France to marry the Duke of Orlean, she brought with her a coterie of poets, artists as well as her own perfumer, thus officially introducing perfumes to France.
So when the Rance family of perfumers moved from France to Italy, it was simply like a homecoming.
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Coming next:
The Rance Perfume Museum