Some people have bad body odour and can pass it along like a bad virus. Remember when Kramer said to Jerry in “The Smelly Car” episode of Seinfeld, “You stink!” Well, that’s not true at our next museum, the Museu del Perfum in Barcelona, where any foul smells are overpowered by the 5,000 bottles and flasks in their collection. Located on the always-chic Passeig De Gracia in the back of the Regia Perfumery, the museum has been offering lovely scents for the last 50 years. The collection is divided in two. The first exhibit is displayed chronologically with items like ancient Egyptian and Roman scent receptacles, old bronze Etruscan tweezers, a prized double-flask pouch that belonged to Marie Antoinette, classic eau-de-cologne bottles and Edwardian atomisers. The second exhibit is all about brand names like Guerlain and Dior and their respective launch dates; some rare bottles are even on display. There’s also a garish Dalí creation for Schiaparelli. And let’s not forget the old perfume catalogues and advertising posters. It sounds like the Museu del Perfum is not a museum in its truest form, but a place to visually appreciate objects displayed randomly with no explanations. And not like there’s anything wrong with that. Let’s not forget most museums started out like this (British Museum included) as cabinets of curiosities. Maybe this collection will one day be part of a “real” museum. But until then check out this place if you ever find yourself in Barcelona; it’s titillating for the nostrils!…it’s a Sniffapalooza!…it’s like hanging out with your grandmother’s vanity tray!
Museu del Perfum in Barcelona, Spain
