in collaboration with Monica Magnani Collection

The collateral exhibition “The shape of perfume: scent bottles between art and history” showcases a selection of perfume bottles from the Monica Magnani Collection, designed for small quantities of essences before major fragrance brands took over international markets.

Perfume, cherished and produced since ancient times, has always embodied various aspects of humanity: a connection to the divine, protective and healing properties, the pleasure of a pleasant and often evocative scent, and the value of a carefully extracted liquid from fragrant materials, once a privilege of the elite.

The bottles themselves reflect the stylistic trends of their times and were often crafted to be precious status symbols, flaunted to display wealth, luxury, and exclusivity. It was only with the advent of synthetic ingredients and the rise of the bourgeoisie in the late 19th century that mass production and widespread use of perfume became possible, leading to the near disappearance of the kind of perfume bottles featured in this collection, which spans from ancient balsam containers to vessels from the last century.

For those unfamiliar with this world, it may be hard to imagine the variety of forms, materials, and styles of these bottles. They represent the creativity and craftsmanship of their makers, tell personal stories, evoke memories of events or places, and serve as precious adornments. The bottles are displayed in thematic groups, reflecting different periods, techniques, or materials, reminding us that the decorative arts hold as much cultural value as the noble arts of painting and
sculpture, and inviting visitors to explore this world of small wonders.

The Monica Magnani Collection includes an exquisite array of scent bottles crafted from diverse materials, spanning from the 18th century to the early 20th century, all under 9 cm in size. The cover photo highlights the beauty of Murano and Bohemian glass, German porcelain and silver, and Russian and Austrian enamels.

Tray in gilded wood, red velvet and bronze containing four Old Paris encrusted porcelain scent bottles (France, 1880 ca. s.b. 4 cm)

Red cabochon glass scent bottle richly decorated in gold, by Harrach (Bohemia, 1850 ca. 5 cm)

Green bakelite hand fan with a knurled metal cased hidden in a big green tassel and containing a perfume bottle “Vrai essence de rose” by Peyronnet Paris, launched in 1919 (France, 1920 ca. 5 cm)

Rare porcelain scent bottle representing Betty Boop, an American animated cartoon created in 1930; gilded metal crown top. (Germany, 1935 ca. 5.5 cm)