Dressing Table Items

Vinaigrettes

Vinaigrettes, popular from the late 18th century through the mid-19th century, were small containers used for holding various aromatic substances, usually dissolved in vinegar. A tiny piece of sponge, soaked in the liquid, was contained beneath a grill or perforated...

Derby Porcelain Scent Bottles

Porcelain scent bottles were extremely popular throughout the second half of the 18th century. The charming "toys" made at the Chelsea factory were especially popular, produced in the shapes of various figures, animals, fruits, and other objects. Even while the craze for these charming items flourished, there was another more formal style of porcelain scent bottle that continued in popularity in England and on the continent....

Perfume Étuis

The 18th century saw the proliferation of pocket-sized nécessaires, often called étuis, with miniature items, such as sewing kits, writing kits, and tiny toilettes that included scent vials. A perfume étui contains only bottles for perfume, and sometimes a tiny funnel for...

Bristol Glass Scent Bottles in Silver Case

A shagreen case holds a sterling case which holds two tiny Bristol green scent bottles with gilt...

Throwaway Scent Bottles

In the late 18th century, perfume became available to the masses when perfumers and chemists began selling or giving away as samples tiny amounts in inexpensive, disposable containers. These simple, naïve bottles came to be known as "throwaways" since they were generally tossed out when empty....

Scent Bottle with Patch Box

This shield-shaped scent bottle is made of clear faceted cut class, is English, and dates to c1790. The center is inset with a sterling engraved patch box which hinges open to reveal its internal compartment and mirror...

Perfume Bottle with Spyglass

This bright cut glass bottle is coil-shaped with a miniature gilt brass retractable monocular spyglass fitted into the...

Portable Cosmetic Cases

Small compartmentalized boxes appeared in the mid-18th century in France for holding face patches, those tiny bits of velvet or moleskin worn on the face as beauty marks. They were called boîtes à mouche or patch boxes...

Portable Powder Box

This small wooden sphere, c1770, is about the size of a ping-pong ball. Made of polished walnut, it has a small mother-of-pearl disk inlaid on the top. It is bisected in the middle, as it is two pieces screwed together. When unscrewed, it reveals it miniature powder puff....

 

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