Pont. Max.
Myrrh, benzoin and resinous incense meet a marine impression, jasmine and Virginia cedarwood.
Perfumer: Filippo Sorcinelli
Pont. Max. draws on the drawers in the sacristy of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Its resinous and woody character accompanies an image of Roman church rites. The name brings in Pontifex Maximus and the idea of a person who builds bridges.
The subject names myrrh, benzoin, resinous incense and amber; the counter-subject marine notes and jasmine; the tail Virginia cedarwood. Warmer resins and a softer sweetness meet a more open marine impression and floral texture, with cedar supplying a drier woody outline.
It suggests quieter wood and resin with a sense of open air. The cylindrical 100mL glass bottle carries an ornate black-and-gold label below a large, gold-coloured sculptural hand cap. Fingers, a ring and the uneven surface of the hand all belong to its design.
