Nysis by Agra c1919

Nysis by Agra Parfumeur: launched in 1919. Nysis was a line that included perfume, toilet water, cold cream, talc, face powder, vanishing cream, and soap.

The packaging is emblazoned with a wonderful Egyptian style woman's head wit long black hair.  Themes featuring any sort of Egyptomania was very popular during the 1920s. You can see from the advertisements below that the Egyptian theme was carried out by showing some Egyptian maidens to the upper right side of the ads. These were from a 1920 issue of Cosmopolitan.

Nysis has been discontinued since the 1920s. The products are very collectible, with the perfume and toilet water the most expensive and rare, while the face powder and the talcum tin are common.

 

Les Parfums Amiot

Amiot et Cie of 68 rue de Rivoli, Paris, was established in 1862, company sold fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries. Later known as Les Parfums Amiot.

Zutz Cosmetics Company

The Zutz Cosmetics Company was started by Henry E. and Julia Zutz in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1923. They made by hand, a variety of women's perfumes and cosmetics in small batches for specialty shops of their time.

Henry was trained as a pharmacist and worked in that field for years before starting his own cosmetics company.

They ceased production completely by 1946.

Venetian Ceruse

Today women are scrambling for products that promote skin whitening, to remove blemishes, scars and unevenness of the skin tone. Much of the skin flaws are caused by acne, accidental scars, and too much sun exposure. Few know that this cosmetic was in use for centuries by many types of people, especially the wealthy.

Elizabeth Arden Treasures of the Pharaohs Vanity Collectibles

For Christmas 1982, Elizabeth Arden offered her Blue Grass bath line in beautiful porcelain vanity

accessories. These accessories had an exotic theme, Ancient Egypt. The line was dubbed "Treasures of the Pharaohs" and was based on some actual ancient artifacts found in tombs of the pharaohs and nobles.

I have compiled a list of items included in the line:

• Double headed ibex boat held three shell shaped soaps.
• Horus the falcon powder jar
• Frog pomander
• Cat shaped bath salts trinket box
• Camel shaped bath salts trinket box
• Hippo shaped candle holder with lid
• Dresser tray decorated with lotus motifs
• Cat shaped pomander
• Bird pomander
• Duck shaped soap dish
• Egyptian sarcophagus shaped dresser jar with bath salts
• Lotus shaped candle holder with lid.
• Ibis bird box
• Lotus decorated jar/lid (four petal top, jagged edges, half circle knob)
• Lotus decorated small jar/lid candle holder, (four petal top, smooth edges, flower knob)
• Lotus decorated tall jar for bath crystals, with round stopper, rounded bottom, on 3 leg brass stand
• Tall vase shaped jar with blue triangle design, with double lotus stopper
• Small round dish with lotus
• Queen Nefertari decorative bust on stand

If you have something that is not listed, let me know and I will update the list. Thanks to Pam for helping me update the list.

photo by ruby lane seller GreatVintageStff

Photo from Perfume Bottles Auction

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Antique Perfumes with Egyptian Themes

As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, the craze for all things Egyptian, known as Egyptomania, reached new heights. Capitalizing on this fascination, perfume companies began to market their products with lavishly designed packaging that featured intricate ancient Egyptian themes. Perfume bottles were crafted to resemble artifacts such as scarabs, sphinxes, and pyramids, often adorned with hieroglyphics and vibrant colors reminiscent of the Nile's treasures.

Cosmetic lines embraced this trend with eyeshadows, lipsticks, and rouge presented in ornate containers inspired by the rich aesthetics of pharaonic tombs. Powder boxes, a staple on every vanity, were transformed into miniature works of art, mimicking the opulence of Cleopatra's era. These items were not just beauty products but also decorative pieces that allowed women to experience a slice of the exotic and mysterious world of ancient Egypt from the comfort of their own homes.

By incorporating these Egyptian-themed luxuries into their daily routines, women could evoke the grandeur and mystique of a distant, enigmatic civilization. It was a way to transcend the ordinary, bringing a sense of adventure and historical romance into the intimate setting of their boudoirs.

Ahmed Soliman and Shimy Brothers Perfumes

In this guide, I will introduce you to the world of vintage perfumes crafted by Ahmed Soliman and the Shimy Brothers Perfume Companies of Egypt. These two renowned competitors specialized in catering to the upscale segment of the tourist trade, creating luxurious and sought-after fragrances. Today, both Ahmed Soliman and Shimy Brothers perfumes are exceedingly rare and fetch substantial prices at auctions. The pictures below showcase the diverse and exquisite types of perfume bottles that are a testament to their timeless elegance and craftsmanship.