Fragrance house

Muelhens

Muelhens developed from a Cologne eau-de-cologne business into a broader fragrance house, adding perfumes, soaps, and personal-care products while establishing representatives in major European capitals. The number 4711 came from the house number assigned to the company’s Glockengasse premises by French occupying forces in 1794, and was registered as a trademark in 1875. Under Peter Paul Mülhens, the business modernized its production and administration after 1900; it also developed Tosca in 1921 and SIR in 1935. The family-owned company was acquired by Wella AG in 1994. In December 2006, Procter & Gamble sold 4711, Tosca, SIR Irisch Moos, and Extase to Mäurer + Wirtz, with the final brand transfer completed in May 2007. Today, Mäurer & Wirtz is an independent subsidiary of the Dalli Group, and 4711 is one of its proprietary fragrance brands. Muelhens’s fragrance legacy is closely tied to 4711 Original Eau de Cologne, whose seven main ingredients have remained unchanged since 1792. The 4711 Acqua Colonia sub-brand launched in 2009.