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Obsolete Technology: Vinaigres (in person)
August 22 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PDT
$75.00
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Humanity is nothing if not expansive, and the practice of perfumery benefit deeply from this drive forward. Science and technology have brought us beautiful new molecules and extraction strategies, and in turn have allowed perfumers to refine their techniques. However, in our never-ending drive for the new, we sometimes lose sight of the beauty of the old. It is with this in mind the IAO is pleased to present a new series we’re (humorously) calling Obsolete Perfumery.
Rooted in texts housed in the IAO Library, each class will explore a historic technique no longer in common usage, or a historic formula that has impacted perfumery through the years. Classes will start with historical context, going on to discuss and present the aromatic materials and production tecniques. Then, the assembled will have a chance to replicate the process. In this, the series will help link us to a long line of perfume practices, though time.
In the first class of this series, we turn to various historic perfumers to explore what they had to say about Vinaigres de Toilette. Drawing from texts by 20th century French perfumer Gattefossé, 17th century French perfumer M. DeJean (Antoine Hornot), and 19th century British perfumer G. W. Septimus Piesse, we will discuss their formulas, and provide modern interpretations.
We will then reference Piesse’s chapter on Vinegars in The Art of Perfumery to discuss and recreate his version of The Four Thieves Vinegar. Does it cure the plague? Probably not. Does it smell fantastic? Let’s find out!
All materials will be provided. Each participant will make their own batch of the vinaigre de toilette to take home.
Image credit: Pierre de Crescens, Livre des prouffitz champestres et ruraulx c. 1470-1475 – BnF: Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, Ms-5064 réserve
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