In 1980, the German fragrance house Muelhens/4711 acquired Payot (Colonia Inc.), a company known for its roots in skincare and French elegance. With the acquisition came the opportunity to launch a new fragrance venture under the name Cantilene Inc., the newly established fragrance division of Payot in the United States. By 1981, Amun was introduced—an oriental perfume for women that was unlike anything else on the American market. By 1982, it had made its way into U.S. department stores, aligning itself with a wave of renewed cultural fascination with ancient Egypt.
Why name a perfume Amun? The name is a deliberate invocation of Egypt’s mystical and storied past. It was chosen not only for its phonetic allure but for its symbolic resonance—“Amun” is derived from the final syllables of Tutankhamun, the boy-king who had captured the modern imagination during the globally celebrated Treasures of Tutankhamun Tour, which began in 1972 and concluded in 1981. After captivating audiences across the U.S., the exhibition continued to Ontario and West Germany, creating a cultural phenomenon. Muelhens strategically capitalized on the excitement and fascination surrounding this archaeological event—Amun was, in essence, a perfume souvenir of ancient royalty.
But who was Amun? In ancient Egyptian mythology, Amun (sometimes spelled Amon, Ammon, or Amen) was one of the most powerful deities. Originally a local Theban god of air and wind, Amun rose to prominence and eventually merged with the sun god Ra, becoming Amun-Ra, the king of the gods, associated with creation, protection, and hidden power. His name in ancient Egyptian—transliterated as Imn—means “the hidden one” or “invisible”, referencing a divine presence that is everywhere yet unseen. Pronounced AH-moon, the name itself evokes mystery, divinity, and an eternal presence—qualities that translate beautifully into fragrance.
