Santa Maria Novella

Gift at the Gardner carries an assortment of perfumes, soaps, skincare, room fragrance, and candles by Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the world’s oldest apothecary. Started in 1221 by Dominican friars who cultivated medicinal herbs in their gardens to prepare medications, balms, and ointments for their convent’s small infirmary, Santa Maria Novella uses the same centuries-old traditions and scientific precision to create their products today. Santa Maria Novella does not test products on animals. 

If you are interested in our line of Santa Maria Novella products, please visit us or call our sales floor at 617 278 5122. Here are a few of our best sellers:

 

Pot-Pourri was first produced in the 17th century and remains one of Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella's most recognized products. The pot-pourri is a mixture of berries, leaves and petals of flowers of the Florentine hills.

 

Acqua di Santa Maria Novella Perfume is Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella’s oldest fragrance. Caterina de Medici commissioned the Dominican monks to create in 1533 and she took the fragrance with her to France when she married Enrico di Valois. It is a bouquet of fresh citrus notes with a base of Calabrian bergamot.

 

Almond Paste is an emollient and nourishing almond scented cream. The formulaparaben-free and rich in vegetable fats–is recommended for particularly dry skin.

 

Soaps produced by Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella begin in a kneading machine where the soap is placed in the form of shavings and scented oils. Once the natural ingredients are combined, a homogeneous paste forms. The soap is then left to season in a ventilated cabinet for about a month. This resting process allows the soap to mature and dispel excess moisture.  After being carefully inspected, each bar is wrapped by hand. The soaps are beneficial to all skin types and come in a variety of fragrances.

 

Terracotta Pomegranate is crafted by hand and soaked in the essence of the Pomegranate Cologne, which after being strained to eliminate the excess essence, is ready for packaging. The porousness of the terracotta allows the fragrance to be slowly released over time.