Angela and Enrico, Pitti Fragranze, 2016
I met with Angela Ciampagna and Enrico Maraffino, partners in perfume and life, at Pitti Fraganze in Florence 2016. Drawn by a combination of a charisma and the very intriguing presentation, there was immediately an unspoken understanding between us, we reside in similar worlds and so it was with the two fragrances from their newest Cineres collection Fauni and Ignes
Angela Ciampagna Collection photo Danu
They work with the union of things seemingly that may be in direct opposition to each other, the slight tendance to clash, imperfections that are both harmonious and intriguing. It would seem that imperfection rules and opposites do attract.
Atri Cathedral,Luciano Adriani©
So within, so without, the union of inner and outer, sacred and profane, matter and spirit, created as Alchemy in the sacred geometrical vesica piscis, associated with so many world cultures over time and reflected in the ichthys wheel, Atri Cathedral Window, as their signature bottle.
Solstice Light, Montsegur, 2010.Ivande Castries©
Let me unravel a story for you, for I feel as I make this foray into this quite superb Italian house based in Atri, Abruzzo as a storyteller holding an ancient tome, blowing off the dust from parchment papers to bring something of consequence from the past that is written all over these villages and towns, whispering stones bearing witness to present ears. Of Cineres, Fire Under Ashes, stepping out beyond the modern world into age old rites. The Atrian Solstice, ‘the longest night of the year, lived all in one breath, in a mystical waiting.’ Faugni, bundles of reeds are ignited at the breaking of dawn to challenge the winter light and to give notice from the verdant Spring in waiting.
Faunus Dark Beauty Magazine
Favni (Fiore Millenaro): Initially this shocks with its potency of the green accord, sharp mountainous forest , the scent of new spears of green bursting through soil, startling awakening where the exhale of cold winter air meets the heated breath of revelers, the God Faunus. Striding through the edges of primal night to enter the ancient streets, serving notice to winters grasp. It softens its calling to merge with the whispers of the ancient stones of the city as it wakens the night with revelry, passing like through the revelers as silently as mist, in his passing igniting the breath. Revealing a warming centre as if mimicking the streets of Atri where the night turning to day is a reflection of Winter turning to Spring.
Dying Season,Crystal Lee Lucas©
Full of rich warm florals, woods that entice and have a sanctity of cathedral incense. The sacred sap of trees, the essence of the forest bought into the cathedral as an offering for liturgy. Once again this intertwining.
Fumitory Offering, Danu Seith-Fyr, 2017
Towards the dawn as anticipation of the appearance of the lit Faugni builds I am taken by surprise again as there is a totally different take on the base here, a challenge to preconceptions, this is the waft of religiosity. Imperceptibly the movement of robes over cobbled stones, the air of the pre – dawn fragmented by a mandorla of resins, balm and rich amber, church pews distilled with an earthly sensuality that arises as the fragrance of masculine wrists at the juncture of vestment fabric and skin. Notes- Floral-Green Chord, Italian Gardenia, Jasmine, Indonesian Ylang Ylang, Wood Chord, Somali Olibanum, Benzoin, Tolu Balm, Musk Chord, Amber Chord.
Emerging Bloodroot in prayer via google images
Ignes: Ripe with crackling, the dry Faugni of rushes carried aloft down streets of anticipation, the grassy sweet sharpness welded to smoldering ignition notes, a slight acridity held within a gasp of expectant conflagration, the crowds carried along by the rushing thrall. Its tobacco caressed heart is a smoky haze lit with illumination, a fertile hope, the woods sitting in its centre, soft aromas of the burst of flames carried high in the night.
Notte dei Faugni, Atri, 2014,Tessori d’Abruzzo©
Amid the revelry, fires flaring off the softest patchouli oils, balsam, labdanum, bright expectancy of rising faith in the renewal to come, in the Spring and the Feast of the immaculate Conception as the finale in the front of the Cathedral where all Faugni and prayers are united in the bonfires.
The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, Ventura Salimbeni, 1568- 1613
Air now thick with plumes of prayers, the fragrance is amber tinged ash, the sparks that danced to the heavens as Benediction spiral to extinction as snowflakes of spent fire brands, the Ashes, Prayers of the faithful resting to fertilise the earth. Notes- Sour Chord, Tobacco Absolute, Balsam Of Peru, Indonesian Patchouli, French Labdanum, Maritime Wood Chord, Vetiver, Indian Sandalwood, Musk Chord, Amber Chord.
Ashes and Embers,IndWorks©
Faith In Fire
One by one, the solstice stars leave their sphere,
the sun has lain a tired shine to bed,
and a plain black sky rolls over head.
In streets and alleys, submerged in dark,
small as fireflies at first,
little flames spring up to do their work.
Comes closer down the narrow paths,
a crown of fire sat upon a tall reed,
brings the sun light on which to feed.
And calls to every flame within the town,
little beads of brightness, carried in the hands
of those who caught the stars coming down,
the faugni ignes, building confidence,
gathers to itself, comes to conflagration,
celebrates the blessed mother, with brilliance.
The sun can hear in dreams, the call
of the beloved, holding torches
for the one who blesses all.
–Math Jones, Poet, 2017, written for this review.
–Danu Seith-Fyr, Contributor
Opinions my own, Samples received from Angela Ciampagna with thanks, at Pitti Fragranze, Florence 2016.
Fauni and Ignes, Angela Ciampagna
Thanks to the generosity of Angela Ciampagna we have a draw available to one registered reader anywhere in the world of your choice of 100ml Parfum Extrait of Fauni or Ignes (both from The Cineres Collection). Be sure to register or your comment will not count) To be eligible please l let us know what appealed to you about Danu’s reviews, which you would choose if you would win-Fauni or Ignes, where you live and if you are familiar with Angela Ciampagna. Draw closes 7/14/2017
We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS FEED…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.