The Museum of Scent: Explore the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents

Journey through the natural and cultural history of scent with our richly illustrated book, inspired by the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents. Delve into the enchanting world of fragrance, where each page tells a story that transcends time and immerses you in the captivating realm of olfactory wonders.

Praise for Our Work:

“This work is a true original—a rarest of rare legacy volume. Mandy Aftel, a beautiful elder and polymath, has crafted a magical tome that will bless you time and again.”
— Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés Reyés, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves and La Curandera, Walking in Two Worlds

Meet Mandy Aftel:

Renowned as one of the world’s preeminent natural perfumers, Mandy Aftel’s clientele spans from the legendary Leonard Cohen to Ivy Ross, head of hardware design at Google. Eschewing synthetic molecules, Aftel masterfully crafts complex and subtle fragrances using only natural essences. Each essence becomes a portal to a bygone world of scent, intricately woven into the fabric of human civilization’s history, touching upon realms of medicine, cuisine, adornment, sexuality, and spirituality.

In 2017, Aftel unveiled a one-room wonder in her backyard—The Aftel Archive of Curious Scents, a museum dedicated to reigniting the enchantment of this lost world for modern audiences. Featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Goop, O: The Oprah Magazine, and more, her museum has become a haven for thousands of enthusiasts seeking to rediscover the allure of forgotten fragrances.

The Book Unveiled:

Now, Aftel invites you to explore this beautiful book, adorned with treasures from her museum’s collection. Illustrated with hand-colored antique woodcuts, each depicting different families of botanical fragrances, the book unravels the olfactory notes and lore behind flowers, woods, leaves, grasses, and resins. Special chapters unveil the mysteries of rare and precious fragrances, like ambergris, formed from a rare secretion of the sperm whale.

As you flip through the pages, discover antique essential oil bottles, handwritten recipe books, and other evocative artifacts that transport you to a bygone era. “The Museum of Scent,” including a bookmark subtly scented with a natural essence, beckons you on a sensuous, imaginative journey.

How to Immerse Yourself:

This captivating book is your ticket to an olfactory adventure. Purchase your copy now to bring the enchantment of The Aftel Archive of Curious Scents into your home. Let the fragrant tales unfold as you embark on a sensory journey through time and history.