Businessman, Russian Nobility. A distinguished diplomat, before the Russian Revolution he had been an ambassador to Italy. For generations his family had been the ruling family of the Province of Georgia, the Caucasus. In 1916 he married Norina Gilli (born in Florence, Italy (1888) who became famous for her portrayal of "The Madonna" in Max Reinhardt's unique pantomime spectacle called "The Miracle" which opened in London in 1912 and she gave over 2,000 performances. In 1924 the Matchabellis moved to New York and Prince Matchabelli was an amateur chemist who had the ability to smell an "astral" perfume and then duplicate it chemically. He established a most successful company named after himself and his perfumes are still sold today. He dedicated the exquisite scent "Ave Maria" to Norina who then designed the crown shaped vial resembling the Matchabelli Crown which design is still used today. "Wind Song" is one of his most famous brands. The Matchabellis divorced in 1933. The Prince died in 1935. Princess Norina met the Avatar Meher Baba in 1931 and thereafter followed his every command. She died in 1957 and her remains are buried in Meherbad Hill, India.
Businessman, Russian Nobility. A distinguished diplomat, before the Russian Revolution he had been an ambassador to Italy. For generations his family had been the ruling family of the Province of Georgia, the Caucasus. In 1916 he married Norina Gilli (born in Florence, Italy (1888) who became famous for her portrayal of "The Madonna" in Max Reinhardt's unique pantomime spectacle called "The Miracle" which opened in London in 1912 and she gave over 2,000 performances. In 1924 the Matchabellis moved to New York and Prince Matchabelli was an amateur chemist who had the ability to smell an "astral" perfume and then duplicate it chemically. He established a most successful company named after himself and his perfumes are still sold today. He dedicated the exquisite scent "Ave Maria" to Norina who then designed the crown shaped vial resembling the Matchabelli Crown which design is still used today. "Wind Song" is one of his most famous brands. The Matchabellis divorced in 1933. The Prince died in 1935. Princess Norina met the Avatar Meher Baba in 1931 and thereafter followed his every command. She died in 1957 and her remains are buried in Meherbad Hill, India.
Bio by: Frank Goodsir
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