I can’t believe it is September already. Where did the time go??? I feel as though I just got back from Wellfleet and it’s already well into E.’s school year (he’s a 2L at Colorado Law) and Autumn is closing in fast. I better bust-a-move is all I can say… I am sorry that I have been so remiss in terms of my blogging project but now that we’re all getting back to school / work, I hope to regain my momentum. Here’s hoping!
Last Friday I was at the Denver Art Museum for their last “Untitled” event of 2010 and we got to promote the amazing sights, sounds and smells of KING TUT at “UnTUTled”. ( cute, huh? ) I was previewing my upcoming talk about the aromas of ancient Egypt as well as explaining the first 6 perfumes in the “Secrets of Egypt” collection.
DSH at DAM, UnTUTled
One of the new and soon to be released designs is a perfume called “Sampsuchinon” named after the Crocodile God of the Nile and the herbs associated with him, marjoram and oregano. I have actually been creating a true recipe of Sampsuchinon based on the ‘formula’ written by Dioscorides -using oils, fresh herbs and spices, honey and wine… (*see Lisa Manniche’s work for more info on these formulae) and then reworking the scent using modern materials (essential oils, not fresh herbs) to create the same style perfume but something we 21st Century folks could feel comfortable wearing. It’s also quite interesting to see people’s reaction to the old vs. the new versions.
* mixed with fats and sprinkled with wine
shaped into cakes and ready to macerate covered with water, overnight
after maceration, boiled, reduced, and strained
marjoram herb
There’s also one more perfume on the way to complete this collection: one to speak to aromatics that Egypt is known for now. I want to showcase the fact that Egypt is still an aromatic paradise. More to come about this one in my next post.
- Mummy Bottle at DAM Gift Shop
- Secrets of Egypt collection at DAM Gift Shop
I hope you will have a lovely, fragrant day!
DSH notebook 
Hi Dawn,
Nice Post! Love the pictures. Currently reading Lisa Manniche’s beautiful book and was just wondering if you made kephri yourself (or someone made it for you). The photos were just spectacular (of the making of Sampsuchinon). I spent some beautiful time at the temple of Sobek (should send you some beautiful pictures I took there in 2000) and also Edfu as well as the island of Philae (sacred to Isis). I loved Lisa’s description of lecturing to people on the boat going down the Nile. And it’s wonderful that you’re educating people on the tremendous prescence of perfume in modern Egypt. I love seeing your posts on Facebook–it makes it so spectacular!
Enjoy the beautiful Fall,
Vishishta
Thank you, Vishishta!
I did make kyphi / kapet / kephri many years ago ( c. 1995 ) based on three recipes in Lisa Manniche’s “Egyptian Herbal” that I bought at the British Museum that same year. I made the incense and then re- worked my current “Khyphi” from that ‘true’ recipe, using modern essential oils, etc. I would love to get to Egypt one day… Please do email your photos; I’d love to see them. Thank you for your well wishes; you as well.
fascinating!!!!! i think that i would love it!
Hi, Jo~
I DO love the Sampsuchinon version I created for DAM. It’s very unique, with so much marjoram / oreganum. I’m going to launch it as an Egyptian Perfume oil and also as a solid ( the modern ‘unguent’). Soon… 🙂
Thank you for sharing the photos. It’s exciting to see “behind the scenes”.
When this is launched in your store, I must try it. I find marjoram very soothing and have used it to help me drift off to sleep. Mixed with wine and honey, it sounds like it might provide for sweet dreams too!
Hi JoanElaine!
I think that you will like it as well. Marjoram is used often for restlessness / insomnia. Just smelling the straight essential oil puts me into a strange state that if I work with it too long, it effects my speech. Very interesting… (Sampsuchinon doesn’t do this to me though…thankfully!) It will be on the site later this month.
Thanks for your wonderful reply! I am drawn to making kephri myself–I think it was made in so many temples in Egypt that it exists in our psychic memoriy. I do love the Cardomon and Kephri that you made. I wear it everyday. I try to talk myself into wearing other perfumes, but I think it puts everything else to shame! You are a true artist!
🙂 You are very kind, V! I think that you would really enjoy the process of making Kyphi/ Kapet from Lisa Manniche’s ‘recipes’. I did, very much.
Dawn,
I’ve never been so excited to go to work as I have been in these last few months while working with you! You make the experience of art such a delight, such an unexpected journey and we at the Denver Art Museum adore you! See you September 15th at the Conversation Lounge! xo, Lindsey
🙂 WOW, Lindsey! I don’t even know what to say… what an incredible compliment ! I can only hope to live up to all that… I am super excited about the upcoming talk at DAM on 9/15 – now I just have to edit down what I am bringing to show and smell. It’s going to be fun. ( Oh and BTW, I feel the same way about working with you / DAM! It’s the best!!) ox, D
Dawn, that Sampsuchinon sounds just wonderful and I imagine that it will be a truly amazing masculine. And I can’t wait to find out what the last “mystery” scent will be! Having smelled the others I know we are in for a treat. 🙂
Hi Flora! Thank you! I think that you might really love Sampsuchinon – it’s much more universal than you might think… and the mystery scent has yet to have a name. I am still thinking. I’ll be sure to send them when they are ready to go… 🙂
Dear Dawn,
It must be gratifying to witness firsthand the public’s reactions to these perfumes, especially in context with the style and period that are their inspiration. Is there any possibility the exhibit might travel to the East coast? I would love to be able to experience it!
a:)
Hi AnnYM~
Yes, it really is wonderful to work with groups and give talks about the scents – especially, as you as, within the style and period of their inspiration. I know that the King Tut exhibit is traveling but my work with DAM is just for them. I would like to see if the Brooklyn Museum, as Lucy mentioned in an earlier post, would be interested in showcasing these works with their extensive Egyptian collection. Who knows what will happen… 😉