The Merchant of Venice

Venice was a center of perfumery long before fashion houses arrived. Here, oils and floral essences from the East and North were blended. Local muschieri (perfumers) and saoneri (soap makers) developed techniques that survived for centuries.

The Merchant of Venice is a contemporary brand founded in 2013 by Mavive — a company still run by the fourth generation of the Vidal family. It all began with a perfume workshop opened in 1900 by Venetian perfumer Angelo Vidal.

Today the brand continues the local tradition. Its fragrances are inspired by the Age of Exploration, when Venice connected East and West. The perfumers reimagine ancient formulas, blending spices, rare flowers, woods and resins.

The bottles are a story in themselves. Each is made of Murano glass — hand-blown and decorated to reflect the character of the scent inside. The collection includes not only perfumes and colognes, but also body care and home fragrances, all in the brand’s signature style.

If you’re looking for a refined Venetian souvenir, don’t miss The Merchant of Venice boutiques — and above all, The Perfume Museum created by Mavive, located in the magnificent 17th-century Palazzo Mocenigo.