Devonshire Violets was a popular brand of perfume. In the 1940s and 50s,
it came in a bottle and cardboard box like the ones pictured here, priced
2/6 (two shillings and sixpence). The perfume was made by the Abietsan
Manufacturing Company Ltd. They were located at the Concordia Works on
Carmichael Road in South Norwood.
From soap to perfume
The company started off as soap-makers in the 1920s. But they soon moved
into manufacturing perfume, toilet preparations and bath salts. They
continued to produce beauty products until the late 1960s.
Why Devon?
The 'Flaroma Devon Violets' perfume was originally produced by Bathes in
Torquay. It came in pottery bottles. But the perfume was soon adopted by
Abietsan and became the famous 'Devonshire Violets' brand.
