I love the scent of Devon Violets Perfume and searched for it far and wide to stock in the Rose & Co. stores. Who’d have thought that the scent was actually invented and made popular by a photographer? In 1921 Maurice Lownds-Pateman started his photography, developing and printing business in Babbacombe, Devon. He sold hand-tinted sepia landscapes of Devon for souvenirs and captured the tourist trade by offering hand stitched Lavender sachets and Devon Violet Perfume in locally made red pottery jars. Ironically, it was the latter product that became his best seller.
The original Devon Violets Perfume bottle
The popularity of the scent spread much further afield and at its height it was available in every seaside town. So much so that the slightest aroma of Devon Violets can evoke powerful memories of childhood holidays. Younger generations may find themselves reminded of elder relatives who may have used this as reminder of summer outings.
A turbulent history has seen the business close, reopen, relocate and finally go into administration in 2000, but has met a happy end for lovers of the gorgeous Devon Violet Perfume. Brian Lowndes Pateman, the third generation of Lowndes Pateman, restarted manufacture of this precious fragrance and I am so pleased that it can now be found at Rose & Co.
I was in a charity shop in Hatboro Pennsylvania and came across a beautiful white,( painted violets on the front )round bottle of Devon Violets, with Lownds pateman TQ1 4RF post code no doubt,it still smells lovely, do you know how old it may be?
Thank you J. Ford
Hello Janet. I’m a big fan of the Devon Violets Perfume, but I’m not an expert on the bottles I’m afraid. The BLP Collection is the trading name of the current business of the Lownds Pateman family. They are based in Torquay, Devon, England; maybe they could help?
I have used devon violets most of my life i am now 53 my brother bought me some last year, and i would love to know how do i send for some more bottles please, thankyou for any help.
Dear Sheryl,
You can order Devon Violets in our online shop by using this link: http://www.rose-apothecary.co.uk/acatalog/30ml_Round.html
Hello, I am 68 years of age. I lived in Newfoundland, Ca. when I was a young girl and my Mother bought a bottle of the lovely Devon Violet perfume for me.
It was in the pottery type jar and I lost the bottle
in a move many years ago. Am so happy to have found
the perfume and seen the bottles again. Brings back loving memories of my childhood and my parents.
I have even drawn pictures and painted them from memory as I never thought I would see this little bottle of fragrance and memories again! Thank you
so much! SCB
I have a small three sided pinched bottle marked Fragrance of English violets by lownds Pateman. Is this the same as Devon violets?
Yes it is. So sorry for the late reply! This is the “dimple” bottle
Is there a North American (Canada or USA) supplier of Devon Violets. I used to be able to get mine through our local hospital auxiliary who purchased from Hampstead House Gifts, Toronto. I have been unable to find it for a number of years!!