Victorian Repoussé Sterling Silver and Cut Glass Scent Bottle
Vanity Set (Scent Bottle / Perfume Bottle) · Likely British silversmith such as Levi & Salaman or Adie & Lovekin, noted for small vesta and vanity items. These firms were synonymous with late Victorian and Edwardian novelty silver for use on a lady's dressing table.
Pattern: Foliate Repoussé with Hobnail Cut glass; a common floral and scroll design popular between 1880-1910.
Type
Vanity Set (Scent Bottle / Perfume Bottle)
Maker
Likely British silversmith such as Levi & Salaman or Adie & Lovekin, noted for small vesta and vanity items. These firms were synonymous with late Victorian and Edwardian novelty silver for use on a lady's dressing table.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) silver cap and collar; hand-cut lead crystal/glass body. Weighted by the thick glass, though the silver itself is thin-gauge.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10 cm in height; diameter approx 5 cm. Weight is dominated by glass, likely 100-150g total; silver content approx 5-10g.
Description
This charming Victorian scent bottle features a bulbous lead crystal body intricately cut with a hobnail pattern that catches the light with prismatic brilliance. It is crowned by a domed sterling silver cap, heavily chased with romanticized floral scrolls and leaf work. Such bottles were essential accessories for a lady's vanity, often intended for display on a dressing table or carried in a small travel case. The contrast between the heavy, sharp-cut glass and the soft, ornate silverwork defines the high-Victorian aesthetic.
Key Features
High-relief foliate repoussé silver cap; sharp hobnail geometric hand-cut crystal; petite 'globular' form; internal fitted neck.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) silver cap and collar; hand-cut lead crystal/glass body. Weighted by the thick glass, though the silver itself is thin-gauge.
Finish & Decoration
The silver cap features high-relief repoussé work in a foliate and scroll motif with an oxidized/antiqued finish in the recessed areas. The glass body is decorated with deep 'hobnail' and geometric cross-hatch cutting in the Victorian style.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Typically found on the side of the collar or inside the cap rim. Likely includes a Lion Passant (.925), an Assay mark (Anchor for Birmingham or Leopard for London), a maker's mark (initials), and a date letter (Gothic or Roman letter).
Construction Details
The silver cap is die-struck or stamped with repoussé detailing; the collar is hand-rolled and soldered. The glass is mould-blown and ensuite hand-cut with stone wheels.
Functional Features
Includes a hinged or screw-top silver cap (image suggests screw-top or friction fit) designed to protect a glass stopper (internal) and prevent evaporation of perfume or smelling salts.
Handle & Grip Details
The globular silver cap acts as the 'grip' for opening. It is hollow-form silver, attached to the glass neck via a cemented silver collar.
Craftsmanship Details
The piece shows a high standard of commercial craftsmanship; the silver detailing is crisp, and the glass facets are hand-polishing evidence of quality labor from the Birmingham/Stourbridge manufacturing corridor.
Authentication Indicators
The depth of the silver detail indicates authentic Victorian die-stamping rather than a modern cast; the 'greyish' patina in the crevices of the silver is consistent with natural oxidation over time; the glass shows appropriate base wear (scuffing) from sitting on surfaces.
Origin & Manufacturing
United Kingdom, likely Birmingham (the center of the British silver 'small-work' trade). Hand-finished glass from the Stourbridge glass district is often paired with these silver mounts.
Era & Period
Late Victorian Era (1880-1901). The transition from heavy floral repoussé to the lighter, more elegant forms of the Edwardian period is evident here.
Age Estimate
Circa 1895. Based on the density of the repoussé work and the specific style of the lead glass cutting which peaked in late 19th-century Britain.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of the 19th-century 'Toilette' ritual; it represents the industrialization of luxury where silver and fine glass became accessible to the rising middle class as status symbols.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Light tarnish on silver; minor 'flea bites' (small chips) to the glass cutting edges are typical for age. The silver shows minor surface scratches but no major dents; integrity of the hinge/seal appears functional.
Value Estimate
$125 - $250 USD depending on the clarity of hallmarks and the presence of the original internal glass stopper.
Care & Maintenance
Clean silver with a soft cloth and a dab of silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid submerging in water if the silver collar is cemented. Use a soft brush for the glass crevices. Do not leave perfume inside for decades as it can 'cloud' the glass permanently.
Similar Pieces
Chatelaine scent bottles (smaller with chains); American Brilliant Period (ABP) glass bottles (larger with more complex cutting); French Art Nouveau bottles (frosted glass with enamel).
Interesting Facts
In the Victorian era, these were often called 'Smelling Bottles' because they were frequently filled with vinegars or smelling salts to revive women who fainted due to restrictive corsetry.