Ming Toy by Parfumerie Forest c1923

Ming Toy by Parfumerie Forest, launched in 1923, encapsulates the fascination with exoticism and orientalism that characterized much of the Western artistic and cultural output in the early 20th century. The name Ming Toy is an anglicized version of a Chinese name, deriving from the titular character Ming Toy, a Chinese girl in the 1918 musical comedy East Is West. This Broadway hit, later adapted into films, featured themes of cross-cultural romance and societal norms. Parfumerie Forest likely chose the name to evoke a sense of allure, fantasy, and cultural mystique that appealed to Western audiences of the time.

The phrase Ming Toy is often thought to derive from Cantonese or Mandarin, though it does not have a direct, universal translation. Pronounced roughly as “Ming Toh-ee” (with "Ming" as it sounds in English and "Toy" softened with a slight emphasis on the "ee"), it conjures imagery of brightness (ming can mean "bright" or "shining" in Mandarin) and daintiness (toy is often associated with diminutiveness or playfulness). Together, the name evokes delicacy, lightness, and a whimsical charm. For Western women of the 1920s, the name Ming Toy likely carried exotic and romantic connotations, presenting a fantastical vision of the East rather than an authentic cultural representation. It symbolized sophistication and adventure, appealing to those captivated by global influences and escapism.

Fay Bainter and Hassard Short in Ming Toy.

The 1920s marked a period of bold creativity in perfumery. The decade saw the rise of orientalism in fragrance, inspired by heightened interest in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Women were drawn to exotic-sounding names and the luxurious fantasies they evoked. Perfumes like Mitsouko by Guerlain (1919), Crepe de Chine by Millot (1925), and Hasu-no-Hana by Grossmith (1888 but enduringly popular) reflected this trend. Ming Toy fit seamlessly into this market, appealing to the Western fascination with Chinese art, design, and aesthetics, a craze fueled by events like the Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925.

At the same time, the flapper movement celebrated women’s newfound freedoms, and daring, adventurous scents resonated with their rejection of Victorian norms. Exotic fragrances complemented this rebellious spirit, offering a sensory escape from the ordinary. Yet, while Ming Toy shared this cultural milieu, its playful name and whimsical aura set it apart as a more lighthearted interpretation of the era’s oriental trend.

For women of the time, a perfume named Ming Toy offered a connection to the glamour and intrigue of a distant, exotic world. It evoked emotions of curiosity, sensuality, and fantasy, aligning with contemporary desires for elegance and cosmopolitanism. The name’s playful charm may have appealed to women embracing the cultural shifts of the Jazz Age, seeking a balance of sophistication and fun. By blending opulence and whimsy, Ming Toy captured the spirit of its era while catering to the adventurous tastes of its audience.

In sum, Ming Toy exemplifies the 1920s trend of exotic, orientalist perfumes while retaining a unique, whimsical identity. Its enchanting name and evocative scent transported wearers to a world of imagined Eastern romance, perfectly aligning with the decade's appetite for luxury, escapism, and cultural fascination.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? The whimsical and exotic name Ming Toy would have inspired a fragrance reflecting these qualities. Likely, it featured a luxurious blend of oriental and floral notes, including spicy cardamom, smoky incense, and creamy sandalwood, paired with lush flowers such as orange blossom, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, or tuberose. Ambergris or musk might have added depth, while a hint of citrus or bergamot could have introduced a bright, effervescent top note. The result would have been a warm, sensuous, and slightly mysterious perfume, embodying the allure of an imagined East.

Bottles:

Ming Toy Perfume Bottle. On March 25, 1924, Leon Cohn of Paris, France, patented his design in America for a perfume bottle. The bottle represented a seated figure of a Chinese girl with fan in hand and fancy headdress which formed the stopper of the bottle. The bottle was manufactured by Baccarat. The name "Ming Toy" is painted across the face of the fan, and the bottle of crystal glass has been decorated with colored enamels and gold. The bottle stands 4 3/8" tall.