Portuguese perfume and vanity items from the collection of Afonso Oliveira will be on exhibit
at the Museu De Lisboa Palacio Pimenta
now through December 2024
Starting from Afonso Oliveira’s private collection, this exhibition covers more than 150 years of the history of perfumery in Lisbon, from the first factory – Thomas Mendonça e Filhos, installed in 1850 on Calçada do Combro – to the present day.
Following international trends, research and production of new fragrances increased at the pace of demand from privileged social classes and the growing affirmative role of women, having been consolidated with the Roaring 20s.
The main brands prospered during the Estado Novo but, after the establishment of the democratic regime and the consequent international opening, Portugal was flooded by foreign products and brands, which quickly came to dominate the market. Most Portuguese companies were unable to adapt and closed their doors.
However, some remain active and, surprisingly, perfumes continue to be manufactured in the Portuguese capital and even under the name Lisbon.
Afonso Oliveira has been collecting bottles and products linked to perfumery and cosmetics for over 40 years. His collection, made up of almost 5000 objects, includes numerous references to brands and factories in Lisbon, Portugal’s main production center since the mid-19th century.
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