Le Papier d'Arménie - Armenian Paper Incense

Description

A pocket sized booklet of benzoin resin incense paper, made in France since 1885. 36 strips per booklet. 3.1” x 2.1”.

Why it’s here

Growing up in England and Sweden, you learn quickly that old houses have opinions. Cast iron radiators, ceiling mouldings, stone floors, awkward corners — they all need cleaning, and they all need cleaning differently. The right tool for the job isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. And for most of that job, the right tool turns out to be a Redecker.

In much of Europe, cleaning is a ritual — a quiet, daily act of care for the things you live with. And if those things are natural materials — wood, stone, cast iron, linen — the tools matter. Natural bristles and considered design are gentler on the surfaces that age best when treated well. The cleaning becomes part of the object’s story rather than the end of it.

You’ll find Redecker brushes in a lot of English and Swedish homes. We grew up with them. When we started Homestedt, carrying them was never really a question. Nearly a century of making natural cleaning tools in the Teutoburg Forest region of Germany, and the designs haven’t changed much. They didn’t need to. Everything is made from natural biodegradable materials, ships plastic-free, and when a piece finally wears out, it goes back to the earth rather than a landfill.

What you’re getting

In 1885, a French chemist named Auguste Ponsot travelled to Armenia, where he observed locals burning benzoin resin to cleanse and refresh their homes. On returning to France he worked with pharmacist Henri Rivier to recreate the effect in paper form. Le Papier d’Arménie has been made the same way in Paris ever since. The recipe remains a trade secret.

The scent — known as Tradition — has sweet vanilla and balsamic notes, warm and quietly resinous rather than sharp or overwhelming. It replaces cooking smells, animal odours, and stale air with something considerably more pleasant. Benzoin resin has natural disinfectant properties, which is rather a bonus.

There are two ways to use it. Tear a strip from the booklet, fold it accordion style, stand it on a heat resistant surface, and light a corner. Let it burn briefly, then blow it out gently so it smoulders slowly rather than burns up. Alternatively, place unlit strips in drawers, wardrobes, or closets where the scent releases gradually over time. Thirty six strips per booklet. One of the oldest room fragrances in continuous production, and one of the most quietly beautiful things you can burn in a home.

Specifications

Made by Papier d’Arménie. Made in France. Size: 3.1” x 2.1”. One booklet of twelve pages, each with three strips. 36 strips total.

How to use

Tear off one strip and fold accordion style. Place on its longest side on a heat resistant surface. Light a corner, then blow gently so the paper smoulders rather than burns. For unburned use, place strips in drawers or closets and allow the scent to release gradually.

Care

Burn strips in a contained, fireproof vessel such as an incense holder or smudging dish. Never leave a burning strip unattended. Keep out of reach of children.