Reliqvia.

Reliqvia takes its name from the Latin relinquo, “I leave,” echoing the idea of relics, objects that have touched the body of a saint or martyr. Filippo Sorcinelli, the house’s founder and perfumer, translated this concept into scent in 2021, drawing on his background in sacred vestments and liturgical art. The fragrance aims to capture the reverence of a relic’s lingering presence, turning a tactile memory into an olfactory sculpture that feels both ancient and contemporary.

The composition’s backbone of smoke and incense mirrors the incense used in holy rites, while blackcurrant provides a dark, almost bruised fruit note that suggests the lingering scent of a relic’s oil. Elemi resin and nutmeg add a warm, balsamic glow reminiscent of candle wax, and orange blossom offers a fleeting flash of light, like a stained‑glass window catching the sun. Together they set the stage for a heart built on resinous mastic, crisp pine, and amber‑like amyris, grounding the scent in both the material and the spiritual.

At first, the opening bursts with smoky incense that feels like stepping into a dim chapel, the blackcurrant adding a subtle tartness that cuts through the haze. Within the first 15 minutes the elemi resin and nutmeg warm the composition, while orange blossom flickers, giving a brief citrus lift. As the heart unfolds, mastic’s resinous chew and the sharp, evergreen scent of Scots pine emerge, supported by amyris’s soft amber and a spicy clove sting; orange blossom returns, brightening the coniferous forest. By the dry‑down, the smoky veil recedes, leaving frankincense’s sacred depth, cashmere wood’s plush warmth, guaiac’s smoky wood, patchouli’s earthy richness, and sandalwood’s creamy finish. The base lingers for 8‑10 hours, a quiet, meditative wood that stays close to the skin while still projecting a dignified aura.

Since its 2021 debut, Reliqvia has become a reference point for modern sacred‑inspired perfumery, often mentioned alongside Simone Andreoli’s Smoke of Desert and Heeley’s Cardinal for its balanced smoky‑woody character. Wearers describe it as the scent of a quiet chapel after dusk, earning quiet compliments in artistic circles and niche forums. Its ritualistic aura has made it a favorite for gallery openings and contemplative evenings, cementing its place in the niche community as a modern relic.