In the Bible, Bat-Sheba was a beautiful woman who King David saw bathing and was so smitten that he lured her into adultery. The tale does not end well for Bat-Sheba's husband, but the perfume, Bat-Sheba, Exotic Oriental, created by Israeli perfumer Judith Muller in 1966, is still a beauty.
To escape the sounds of football, I ran a bath and poured in my small, vintage vial of Bat-Sheba bath oil. Warm, hints of fruit and rose rose up in the steam and a rich woody base of powdery-sweet balsamic notes enveloped me. I did feel exotic.
After the bath, I dabbed the last of the oil on my wrists and enjoyed the deep woody base notes with a hint of leather. I'm doubtful it will be enough to lure my husband away from the game but I can dream.
I think Bat-Sheba was discontinued in the 80's, but if you find a bottle anywhere, I highly recommend picking it up. And if any of my readers know Hebrew, can you translate the back of my sample box from the photo below?
Nose: ( Rumour is that it was Sophia Grosjman ?)
Notes: I founds many different notes listed on different sites. Octavian at 1000 Fragrances says "green-rose notes (cactus-rosewood) over a vanilla/cocoa/ balsamic/chypre-woody base." Scentzilla says "aldehydes, jasmine, rose, iris (orris), vetiver, incense, and leather." Yesterday's Perfume lists "Top notes: Aldehydes, cardamom, bergamot, fruit note, rosewood
Heart notes: Jasmine, rose, orris, ylang-ylang, carnation
Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver, castoreum, amber, leather, oakmoss"
Painting: Rembrandt, Bathsheba at Her Bath 1654Photos: Bat-Sheba bath oil sample, mine.
wow that sounds like a real vintage treat- very exotic and other worldly
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried the original, but I have a sample of DSH Perfumes' "designer duplicate" recreation. I have yet to wear it properly, but it is rich-rich-rich, and just a wee bit skanky sniffed from the vial. It is the sort of thing that might possibly scare my husband (he who likes girly florals, the girlier the better)...
ReplyDeleteFunny, I never mind the sounds of football. I just can't be bothered to watch it myself. (Needless to say, my entire crew was parked in front of the TV yesterday - CEO, teenage daughter, younger sons... I checked fume blogs.)
Hi Rose: It was a treat! I wish now that I hadn't finished the sample.
ReplyDeleteHi Muse: I wonder if it's the castoreum (or castoreum substitute) that makes it skanky? My DH used to favour the fruity florals and vanillas, but now says his favourite on me is Roja Dove Diaghilev, an old-fashioned and kinda dirty chypre! I think I'm having an influence on him.
What a great find sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteThey don't make them like they used to! This sounds like such a gorgeous treat. I have only seen empty Bat Sheba bottles online!
ReplyDeleteI tried my best to translate using an online translator and my very limited knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet. Reading right to left, I think the top line reads Bat Sheba ת שבע and the bottom Judith Miller יְהוּדִית מלר
Don't quote me on that!
JoanElaine: an online translator, why didn't I think of that. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI accidentally erased the first letter of Bat-Sheba. It should read בת שבע.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I didn't realize that DSH makes an imposter.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate any perfume that drowns out football.
Yes, the back of the box does say "Bat Sheva - Judith Muller" in Hebrew. I have a mini bottle of this scent, and it's a stunning chypre. Bottles of Bat Sheba are either labeled as "Exotic Oriental" or "Modern Woody". I don't understand why there are these two separate designations. To me it just smells like a nice floral chypre with some mouthwatering, subtle sweet fruit notes in there as well. Really lovely stuff, the parfum concentration is excellent and long lasting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info perfume fountain! I hope I will find a bottle one day.
ReplyDelete