Sacred luxuries: fragrance, aromatherapy and cosmetics in ancient Egypt

Sacred luxuries: fragrance, aromatherapy and cosmetics in ancient Egypt
Lise Manniche
Opus Publishing Ltd, 1999

In this lavishly illustrated, oversized book, Lise Manniche looks at the role played by scents and cosmetics in ancient Egyptian society and discusses their preparation―in some cases providing actual recipes. Manniche explores the application of perfumes in ritual and on social occasions, and examines the erotic connotations of scent in Egyptian art and poetry. Fragrant remedies, the central element in ancient medicine, are fully discussed. Finally, she investigates the widespread use of cosmetics, as revealed in wall paintings and painted sculptures. The book features a hundred color photographs, taken by Werner Forman, of objects in the world's most celebrated museum collections. Exquisite cosmetic containers in the form of birds and animals, reliefs representing kings and priests perfuming images of deities, and lifelike mummy masks displaying make-up are among the images represented. 

ISBN: 9780953554607
English - 160 pages - 27 x 24,5 cm - 1 kg