Maderas de Oriente is primarily recognized as a historic Spanish perfume brand established in 1917 by the Myrurgia house in Barcelona.
Myrurgia was a historic, family-owned Spanish perfume and cosmetics company, renowned for its artistic vision and high-quality products, which was acquired by the Puig fashion and beauty group in 2000. The company is no longer an independent entity, but its legacy brands, like Maja and Maderas de Oriente, continue to be managed and marketed by Puig.
Company History
Founding and Artistic Vision:
Founded in 1916 in Barcelona by Esteve Monegal i Prat, a talented sculptor and artist, and financially backed by his industrialist father, Ramon Monegal. The name “Myrurgia” was coined from the Greek words for “essence” and “industry,” reflecting its blend of artistry and commercial production.
Art Deco Influence:
Esteve Monegal’s artistic sensibilities led to innovative, Art Deco-inspired designs for bottles and packaging, often collaborating with artists like Eduard Jener. The company quickly became a leading figure in Spanish design and advertising during the 1920s and 1930s.
International Reach:
Myrurgia achieved significant international success, particularly in Europe and Latin America, and won a Gold Medal at the 1925 Paris Exhibition.
Acquisition by Puig:
After decades of success as Spain’s leading perfumery house, the Monegal family sold Myrurgia to the Barcelona-based Puig group in July 2000. Puig integrated Myrurgia’s brands into its portfolio, which includes other major fashion and beauty names like Carolina Herrera, Paco Rabanne, and Nina Ricci. The original Myrurgia production facilities were eventually repurposed, and its operations were fully absorbed by Puig.
Key Brands and Products
Myrurgia was known for a range of perfumes, colognes, soaps, and makeup, often characterized by “oriental” or “hispanic exoticism”.
Maja:
The most famous fragrance, launched in 1918 and reintroduced in 1945, known for its oriental, spicy scent profile and its inspiration from the grace of dancer Tórtola Valencia. It includes notes of orange blossom, geranium, tobacco, rose, jasmine, and cloves.
Maderas de Oriente:
A woody, oriental scent that became an iconic product, famous for its unique bottle design (often with a small sandalwood stick inside) and Moorish-style packaging.
Other Notable Fragrances:
Other creations included Orgia, Flor de Blasón, Embrujo de Sevilla, and Goyesca, each with distinct artistic packaging.
Summary
Myrurgia’s legacy is defined by its blend of industrial manufacturing and high-end artistic design, which helped shape the Spanish perfume industry. While the independent company no longer exists, its classic product lines are preserved and distributed globally by the fashion and beauty conglomerate Puig.