Collecting Antique Perfume Bottles
Antique perfume bottles remind us of a more gentle time when perfume was a luxury meant to treat the wearer and those around her. Part of a beautiful bureau of dressing table, the perfume bottle was an artistic expression and not just an everyday vessel. Meant to be a representation of the beauty within, antique perfume bottles continue to delight the viewer and inspire collectors everywhere.
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History
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Perfume vessels go all the way back to the earliest days of the Egyptians, and examples of ancient perfume holders have been dated back to 1000 BC. Perfume usage was prevalent amongst the Egyptians and spread to the Greek and Romans as well. Although some of the early examples of perfume bottles were made of terra cotta, the discovery of glass molding and blowing in the 1st century was quickly followed by more elaborate perfume holders which set the precedent for the more ornate bottles of the 13th century and beyond.
Types
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Venetian glass perfume bottles go back to the 13th century, and European glass perfume bottles continued to be an art form through the 16th through the 18th centuries. In the early 1700's, more porcelain perfume bottles were made and thought to be quite fashionable as they could be shaped like flowers, birds, animals or fruits. The 18th century also brought about gold and silver perfume bottles, although they were not as well distributed.
You'll find many Wedgewood examples of perfume bottles from the 1800's and then see the influence of the French jeweler Rene Lalique in the early 1900's with his elaborate glass etched or molded style.Many antique perfume bottle collectors will see that bottles come in a variety of price points. Czech etched glass bottles from the 30's will go for about $250. Enameled perfume bottles from the Victorian era may be found for as low as $40, and a metal encased Victorian perfume bottle with rhinestones will go for about $100.
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Features
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Most antique perfume bottles that are available to the average treasure hunter will be made of cut glass with a molded or etched glass stopper. Glass can be of many colors including green, pink, clear, blues or purple. Some of the very ornate art deco variety will feature an elaborate figure or carving on the stopper. Many of these are made in Czechoslovakia and date to the 1930's.
Later perfume bottles may include an atomizer, which is a small pump-ball that sprays the perfume onto the wearer. Atomizers are usually covered in fabric and may include a tassel.
Size
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Perfume bottles can measure anywhere from 2 3/8" high and 1 7/8" wide to 7" tall, with most of them falling in the 4-5" range, depending on the nature of the stopper or atomizer. Some of the smaller 2" models were meant for a purse or pocket and are just as ornate in design as their larger table top models.
Potential
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Antique perfume bottles are beautiful for many reasons, but their ornate design and colorful glass can make them a nice contribution to home decor. Whether you place them along a windowsill or in a lit display cabinet, the form and function of these antique treasures bring a sense of nostalgia and culture to anyone who views them.
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Resources
- Photo Credit photo by EndangeredAngel flickr.com
