Medieval Women

This ground-breaking exhibition tells the story of medieval women through their own voices and experiences. While narratives about the Middle Ages are so often dominated by men, this show presents history through the lens of female authors, artists, scribes, patrons, readers, wives, mothers, daughters, leaders, workers and makers. Utilising a wide variety of materials and perspectives, Medieval Women: In Their Own Words aims to redefine our understanding of medieval womanhood.

Taking inspiration from these women’s stories, AVM Curiosities have designed four bespoke aromas for inclusion in the exhibition. Two of these scents are recreations from De ornatu mulierum the 12th century cosmetic recipe collection. Displayed in bespoke 3D printed vessels, the medieval breath freshener and hair perfume are a unique olfactory insight into the past, presented beside the manuscript that inspired them and a spectacular historical comb.

‘…when she combs her hair, let her have this powder. Take some dried roses, clove, nutmeg, watercress, and galangal. Let all these, powdered, be mixed with rose water. With this water let her sprinkle her hair and comb it with a comb dipped in this same water so that [her hair] will smell better. And let her make furrows in her hair and sprinkle on the abovementioned powder, and it will smell marvelously.’

 Hair perfume, De ornatu mulierum, translated by Monica Green.

 Alongside the two medieval cosmetic scents, AVM Curiosities have also curated aromatic interpretations of heaven and hell. These two scents were inspired by olfactory accounts from female saints and mystics, including Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich. Medieval visionaries often described their visions as intensely sensory, sometimes experiencing strange smells during their spiritual encounters. Heavenly visions might be accompanied by the pleasant fragrance of flowers and spices, whereas hellish visions might bring the frightening odours of fire and brimstone. In honour of this tradition, the bespoke aromas are displayed in a unique multisensory scent chamber, which triggers projections of smoke and light when interacted with.

Medieval Women: In Their Own Words
Scent Design by AVM Curiosities
British Library | London
25 October 2024 - 2 March 2025