Edwardian Sterling Silver Mounted Cut Glass Scent Bottle, Birmingham 1904
Vanity Set (Scent/Perfume Bottle) · The initials are partially obscured by tarnish, but the anchor and lion indicate a Birmingham-based silversmithing firm, common makers of this era include Levi & Salaman or Sanders & Aguilar.
Pattern: Traditional English Cut-Glass with Sterling Mount; a staple of Edwardian dressing tables, though not part of a specific named collection.
Type
Vanity Set (Scent/Perfume Bottle)
Maker
The initials are partially obscured by tarnish, but the anchor and lion indicate a Birmingham-based silversmithing firm, common makers of this era include Levi & Salaman or Sanders & Aguilar.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) mount and collar over high-lead-content flint glass; the collar is made of thin gauge sterling, likely plaster-filled or 'weighted' for stability.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10 cm in height; collar diameter approximately 2 cm; weight is primarily in the glass, with the silver weight being negligible (approx. 5-10 grams of silver).
Description
An elegant Edwardian-era scent bottle featuring a brilliant cut-glass body and a hallmarked sterling silver collar. These bottles were essential accessories for the lady's vanity, designed to hold perfume or smelling salts while reflecting the light of a candle-lit dressing room.
Key Features
Birmingham Anchor mark; high-relief reeded collar bands; deep-cut geometric glass facets; visible 'haloing' around hallmarks.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) mount and collar over high-lead-content flint glass; the collar is made of thin gauge sterling, likely plaster-filled or 'weighted' for stability.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized tarnish over a mirror-polished silver collar; the collar features simple horizontal 'banding' or triple-reeded molding at the base; glass is hand-cut in a diamond or 'strawberry' pattern.
Hallmarks & Stamps
British Hallmarks: Lion Passant (English Sterling), Anchor (Birmingham Assay Office), and likely a lowercase 'e' date letter (1904); Maker's mark is present but heavily obscured by tarnish and surface wear.
Construction Details
Machine-spun thin sterling silver collar; soldered reeded details; the mount is crimped or cemented over the glass neck; glass is hand-cut or press-molded and hand-finished.
Functional Features
Threaded or push-fit collar designed to hold a missing stopper; wide flared rim to facilitate pouring/dipping; glass body features facets for secure grip and light refraction.
Handle & Grip Details
No handle; the diamond-cut glass body provides an ergonomic, non-slip grip for the fingers while applying scent.
Craftsmanship Details
The silver is thin 'commercial grade' sterling typical of mass-produced Edwardian vanity items, though the hallmarking is crisp and the glass cutting is of high quality.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark sequence follows standard British assay office spacing; wear patterns on silver consistent with 120 years of handling; authentic Victorian/Edwardian glass-to-metal cementation color.
Origin & Manufacturing
Birmingham, England; known as the 'Toy Shop of Europe' and the world leader in small silver vanity items and glass-mounted accessories during this period.
Era & Period
Edwardian Period (1901-1910); identifiable by the lightweight silver construction and the specific Birmingham hallmark characteristics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1904; determined by the shape of the assay shield and the stylization of the date letter (visible lowercase italics).
Cultural Significance
Represents the height of Edwardian social etiquette, where the 'Toilette' was a complex ritual of grooming using expensive, imported scents stored in decorative vessels.
Condition Notes
Fair-to-Good condition; heavy oxidation/tarnish on silver; surface abrasions and pitting visible on the metal; possible missing stopper; glass appears intact without major chips.
Value Estimate
$40 - $85 USD depending on size and presence of the original stopper; value is significantly higher if the maker's mark is identified as a premium firm.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft horsehair brush and non-abrasive silver foam (like Wright's); avoid immersion in water as it may weaken the cement holding the silver to the glass.
Similar Pieces
Victorian Scent Flasks (often more ornate/repoussé), French Crystal Flacons (usually 950 minerva marked), and American Art Nouveau Perfume Bottles (typically thicker silver).
Interesting Facts
In the early 20th century, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter produced thousands of these bottles weekly, which were often exported globally as symbols of British refinement.