Maskee by Ciro c1923

Launched in 1923, Maskée by Ciro embodied the electrifying energy of Carnival, a time of masked revelry, music, and unrestrained joy. The name Maskée is derived from the French word "masqué" (pronounced mah-SKAY), meaning "masked"—a fitting title for a perfume inspired by the world of masquerades, revelry, and hidden identities. The name itself conjures images of elaborate Venetian masks, swirling silk gowns, and candlelit ballrooms, where intrigue and passion unfold behind veiled disguises. Maskée was designed to transport its wearer into a world of fantasy, where the boundaries of reality and illusion blurred, much like the intoxicating effect of a Carnival night.

Ciro’s choice to infuse Maskée with the spirit of Carnival was a bold and imaginative move. Carnival is renowned for its vibrant excess, dazzling costumes, and intoxicating atmosphere, making it the perfect inspiration for a perfume meant to exude "a gay, reckless odeur," as contemporary advertisements described it. This was an era when women were stepping into new freedoms—flappers were dancing in jazz clubs, hemlines were rising, and the old constraints of Edwardian propriety were being cast aside. Maskée would have appealed to this modern, adventurous woman—one who was not afraid to embrace excitement, glamour, and even a hint of mischief.

Bouquet Antique by Ciro c1923

Bouquet Antique by Ciro, launched in 1923, carries a name that suggests both timeless elegance and nostalgic romance. The phrase "Bouquet Antique" is French, pronounced "boo-KAY ahn-TEEK". "Bouquet" refers to a gathering of flowers, often with a rich and harmonious fragrance, while "Antique" conveys something aged, classic, or reminiscent of the past. Together, the name evokes an image of an opulent floral arrangement from a bygone era—perhaps a bouquet carefully preserved in an ornate vase, steeped in history and sentimentality. It suggests a fragrance that is deeply romantic, refined, and evocative of the grand traditions of perfumery.

The choice of such a name would have resonated with women of the 1920s, an era marked by both a fascination with the past and an embrace of modernity. The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age, was a period of dramatic social change. World War I had ended just a few years earlier, and a newfound sense of liberation permeated fashion, art, and culture. Women had gained greater independence, reflected in their bolder attitudes, shorter hemlines, and daring bobbed hairstyles. Yet, even as they embraced modernity, there was a concurrent nostalgia for the elegance and refinement of previous centuries. The name Bouquet Antique would have appealed to this dual sensibility—offering a fragrance that felt luxurious and timeless while still suited to the confident, modern woman.

Ptah by Ciro c1923

Launched in 1923, Ptah by Ciro arrived at the height of Egyptomania, a cultural phenomenon ignited by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. The name Ptah (pronounced "Puh-tah") was a deliberate nod to ancient Egyptian mystique and power, chosen to align with the era’s fascination with the grandeur of the past. In Egyptian mythology, Ptah was one of the most important gods, a creator deity associated with art, craftsmanship, and rebirth. Often depicted as a mummified figure wearing a skullcap, holding a scepter, Ptah was revered as the divine architect of the universe, a god of creation and transformation. The subtitle "King of Them All" further emphasized its majesty, suggesting that Ptah was not merely another fragrance but a ruler among perfumes, a scent of unparalleled distinction.

The 1920s were defined by a relentless pursuit of modernity, but alongside the rush toward the future, there was an insatiable curiosity for the past—particularly the exotic and mysterious world of ancient Egypt. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb sent shockwaves through popular culture, influencing fashion, jewelry, architecture, and, of course, perfumery. Egyptian motifs—lotuses, scarabs, sphinxes, hieroglyphics, and gold accents—appeared on everything from evening gowns to Art Deco perfume bottles. The era’s most stylish women, including socialites and Hollywood actresses, embraced Egyptian-inspired beauty, drawing kohl-rimmed eyes in the likeness of Cleopatra and adorning themselves with beaded headdresses and exotic jewelry.

Fragrance was an essential part of this aesthetic, and Ptah was perfectly positioned to embody this mystical, regal allure. The very name evoked images of an ancient world steeped in ceremony and splendor—the burning of resins in gilded temples, floral offerings laid at the feet of gods, the scent of rare oils perfuming the air of royal chambers. It was a fragrance that whispered of power, mystery, and eternal beauty, capturing the fantasy of a civilization both long-lost and yet newly rediscovered.