Scents of Time

Scents of Time was a perfume company which specialized in re-creating ancient fragrances. The company was founded by perfumer David Pybus and based in the United Kingdom. The company was featured in Series 4, Episode 5 of the BBC entrepreneur opportunity programme Dragons' Den on 7 March 2007. Their products were distributed at the British Museum and through online retailers.[1]

Scents of Time

Traded as	Private financing
Industry	cosmetics
Founded	2007
Founder	David Pybus
Defunct	2012
Headquarters	Ryman House, Savoy Road, Crewe, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Area served	international
Products	perfumes
Website	scentsoftime.co.uk

The recreated scents differed from the original formulae in two fundamental ways. All ingredients conformed to the current safety standards for the perfume industry as some old formulations contained components now determined to have toxicity. The second difference was the use of alcohol as a carrier rather than the olive or almond oil common in ancient times. The company produced five scents and had two under development.[2]

• Night Star (2009) – Floral. Bergamot, lavender, rose, violet, heliotrope, orris, Lily of the Valley, sandalwood, vanilla, and Hawthorn Blossom. Based on recovered samples from a bag of fragrances belonging to Adolphe Saalfeld, perfumer and survivor of RMS Titanic.[3]
• Maya (2009) - Soft oriental. Sweet copal incense, ozonic influences, Night Blooming Jasmine, verdant foliage, a pot pourri of tropical fruits and flowers and cacao (chocolate).[4]
• Ankh (2008) - Woody Oriental. Sicilian bergamot and lemon, lime, juniper, pink pepper, myrtle, cypress, lavender, geranium, jasmine, cassi, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, benzoin, labdanum, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, vetivert, birch tar, ceda, guaiacwood, accord of hone, tobacco and vanilla.[5]
• Pyxis (2007) - Mossy Woods (Chypre). Bergamot, peach, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, basil. rose, jasmine, sandalwood, patchouli, oakmoss, amber, and benzoin.[6]
• Nenufar (2007) - Water family. Green watery accord, nutmeg, angelica, floral muguet (Lily of the Valley), sandalwood, musks, orris, heliotrope, almond, and patchouli.[7]
• Aurum (in development) – scents from ancient Greece.
• Chrism (in development) - Dry Woods. Based on the anointing oil used in European coronation ceremonies.

On 4 January 2012, the company suspended its internet sales and closed down on 30 April 2012 after donating all remaining stock to charitable organizations. It cited a weak worldwide economy and marketing competition from celebrity-endorsed fragrances.[8]