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Perfume burners, which evolved significantly from ancient times to the neoclassical era, have a rich history that reflects broader cultural and technological changes.
In Greco-Roman civilization, perfume burners were closely associated with religious practices, as the gods were central to daily life. The Greeks and Romans used incense and resins, which were burned to produce thick, fragrant fumes as a form of homage to the deities. Many ancient Roman and Greek perfume recipes have been preserved, including those written by figures such as Pliny the Elder, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of fragrance production.
During the rise of neoclassicism, which was born in Rome and inspired by the rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum, there was a renewed interest in classical Greco-Roman ideals across Europe. This cultural movement also influenced the design of perfume burners. A notable example is a perfume burner designed by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart and made by London ormolu maker Diedrich Nicolaus Anderson, which was inspired by the classical tripods found in ancient Greek temples.
The art of perfume during the classical antiquity period was also preserved and codified by Persian and Arab chemists. These advancements were important in maintaining the use of fragrances, especially as perfume played a crucial role in masking the odors of the time.
Thus, from the religious and daily uses in Roman times to the ornate and classical-inspired designs of the neoclassical period and later 19th century, perfume burners have been adapted and transformed to meet the aesthetic and functional demands of their times.
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