CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

Maja by Myrurgia, the scent of seduction and Spanish passion, is a classical oriental spicy fragrance for women. Maja was originally launched in 1921. The fragrance features citrus notes, nutmeg, jasmine, wild lavender, carnation, patchouli, cloves, vetiver, rose d’Orient, Tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, oak moss and geranium.

The very name Maja means “beautiful woman” and for those who wished to exude the allure of an exotic beauty, Maja was certainly a fragrance that answered that wish. The distinctive label of Maja’s perfumes and soap boxes were directly inspired by the dancing of Tórtola Valencia and her lovely figure.

The perfume was presented in various perfume bottles over the years and the boxes covered in paper printed with the image of a Spanish shawl in red, gold and black, colors traditionally associated with Spain. The earliest flacons were designed by Julien Viard and some had tall figural stoppers in the shape of a fountain. Some bottles were clear crystal and others came in a rare black crystal flacon luxuriously accented with black gilding.

Over the years, the fragrance of Maja could be found in Pure Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Parfum de Toilette, Cologne (Colonia), Locion (not today’s body moisturizer lotions), talcum powder, shower gel, body lotion, liquid hand soap, and scented soap (jabon). Today, I use the scented Maja soaps, rich in lather and olive oil, they have a very soft, subtle scent that lingers on the skin hours after bathing.

In 1960, a new version of Maja appeared on the market, aptly named Nueva Maja (New Maja). This fragrance has been discontinued for years. But Maja is still available for purchase in it’s many forms. The original fragrance of Maja is best to be found only in vintage form as it was reformulated several times over the years.