Prince Georges Vasili Matchabelli (Georgian: გიორგი მაჩაბელი; July 23, 1885 – March 31, 1935) was a Georgian perfumer. A nobleman and diplomat, he emigrated to the United States after the 1921 Soviet invasion of Georgia.
In 1917 Matchabelli married Norina Gilli (born in Florence, Italy) who had become famous for her portrayal of the MadonnainMax Reinhardt's unique 1911 pantomime spectacle play The Miracle. He briefly served as part of the embassy of the Democratic Republic of GeorgiatoItaly. With the establishment of Soviet rule in Georgia in 1921, Matchabelli, with his wife Norina, moved to the United States.
Prince Matchabelli perfume, 1926 design
The prince was an amateur chemist and in 1924 he and his wife, now known as Princess Norina Matchabelli, established the Prince Matchabelli Perfume Company. Norina designed the crown shaped perfume vial in the likeness of the Matchabelli crown and in 1926 the scent "Ave Maria" was named for her. The company became known for color-coded, crown-shaped bottles that housed such classics as Wind Song, Ave Maria, and Princess Norina. The Matchabellis divorced in 1933.[2]
From 1932 until his death, Matchabelli also served as President of the Georgian Association in the United States.[3] Georges died in New York City in 1935 and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Queens, New York.[4] In 1936, Norina sold the company to perfume manufacturer Saul Ganz for $250,000.[5]
^Kevin Walsh with Christina Wilkinson (19 November 2006). "Forgotten New York Tour of Maspeth". Juniper Berry. Juniper Park Civic Association. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
