A large package arrived recently with a few fragrances from Carthusia, including Corallium, which I would like to introduce to you today. In the near future, some of the treasures that have arrived here will find their way onto this fragrance blog or at least onto our Instagram account, where I regularly provide you with unboxings and fragrance presentations. If you don’t follow us there yet and would like to be informed about all the new products, you are welcome to follow us.
In fact, I am a little surprised that this eau de parfum has not yet found its way into the fragrance diary, as it is not a new launch, but a creation that was created in 2010 by Italian perfumer Laura Bosetti Tonatto. The theme is once again the island of Capri, as this is the inspiring subject of the Carthusia brand, whose roots are deeply anchored in the history and culture of the island of Capri.
Capri, you are always on my mind
Legend has it that the brand originated in 1380, when the head of the Carthusian monastery Certosa di San Giacomo on Capri picked flowers for an upcoming visit by the Queen of Naples. After a while, the water in which the flowers were standing began to exude an enchanting fragrance. The head of the monastery was so impressed by this event that he asked the monastic alchemist for advice. This was the birth of the first perfume from the island of Capri.
However, Carthusia was not officially founded until 1948, when the old recipes were rediscovered in the monastery and – with the Pope’s permission – given to a Piedmontese chemist. He was given a small laboratory not far from the Gardens of Augustus on the island of Capri, which he named Carthusia, or “Charterhouse”, where the fragrances of the Italian niche fragrance brand are still produced by hand today.
Carthusia’s fragrances are unique and unmistakable. They are made from natural, local ingredients such as Capri lemon, wild rosemary and lush bougainvillea. Carthusia attaches great importance to quality and craftsmanship. Each bottle is produced in a limited edition and – as already mentioned – bottled and packaged by hand with great care. Carthusia thus reveals a great love of detail and a deep connection to the tradition and history of the enchanting island of Capri, which makes this brand so unique.
Corallium – Memories of Capri
Perfumer Laura Bosetti Tonatto created the fragrance Corallium from the ingredients laurel, myrrh, mandarin, bergamot, patchouli, cedarwood, sage, musk and sedum. This is quite surprising for me at first, as I had expected a maritime or aquatic eau de parfum, which Corallium definitely does not seem to be. Herbs, citrus fruits and woods … I don’t detect any marine indices here, which honestly doesn’t make me sad at all, as – regular readers probably know – I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of maritime creations.
Of course, I’ve already gotten to know some really great marine fragrances and aquatics here, but I wouldn’t wear most of them personally. But tastes differ, and that’s a good thing. In any case, Corallium sounds like it would fit right in with my olfactory preferences. That’s perfect!
A fresh breeze always blows around the island of Capri and mixes with the winds from the land, which carry the scents of rich woods, aromatic herbs and flowers and fruits that thrive in the salty soil.
The magic of Corallium
The opening of Corallium combines citrus fruits with the characteristic, aromatic notes of laurel and spicy myrrh. The latter two breathe a certain sharpness and edgy herbaceousness into the creation, which is soon accompanied by clean cedarwood and the soft, earthy nuances of patchouli. Corallium is always fresh, airy and exudes Mediterranean notes in its very own way.
Gradually, the fragrance becomes more powdery and reveals delicate, mineral-like musky accents, in which I also seem to perceive salty aspects. The composition gradually fades out with greenish-herbaceous and dry nuances and a citrus freshness that can still be sniffed out underneath.
Corallium by Carthusia is a rather tart, sparkling and Mediterranean mix of tart, fruity hesperides, aromatic herbs and earthy, woody notes. What I find really great is that the fragrance has no sweetness whatsoever, is very fresh, cool and invigorating and somehow reminds me a little of the sea without unpacking the typical aquatic or maritime club. If you are looking for airy and transparent unisex fragrances with a good dose of elegance and Italian flair that fit perfectly into the current season and are very stylish and finely composed, I can only recommend this eau de parfum. Simply beautiful! 🪸
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