Intreccio no.1 is the first candle created by Olivia Giacobetti in collaboration with L’Artisan Parfumeur and Bottega Veneta. It is meant to evoke a library in an old Venetian house, and indeed lighting the candle sends forth a whiff of leatherbound books and well-polished wood. Like opening a wooden chiffonier containing old love letters, the fragrance envelops one in the same bittersweet nostalgic tenderness that is captured on their yellowed pages. Rather than being just a pleasant scent, I find the fragrance of Intreccio no. 1 evocative of another place and time.

The leather dryness is touched by the resinous woods, the sweetness of which is complemented by the delicious note of hay. An element of transparent smoke weaves around the more substantial leather notes, balancing out their animalic quality and lending a complex richness.

Like the other L’Artisan candles, Intreccio no. 1 is made of high quality materials, possessing excellent throw and long lasting scent. Olivia Giacobetti also created another candle for Bottega Veneta under the label of L’Artisan Parfumeur, Intreccio no. 2. It conjures the aromas pervading the Tuscan countryside on a hot August day, with its mélange of basil and woods. Both Intreccio no.1 and no. 2 are available in the room spray, which as I have discovered makes an interesting personal fragrance.

A 175g candle offering 60 hours of burning time is priced at $70. If a woven leather holder is included, the price increases to $165. For buying information, see the listing for L'Artisan under Perfume Houses.