Sterling silver vinaigrettes are small, decorative boxes that were used whilst travelling as a more accessible and practical way of carrying perfume and scents rather than in large glass bottles or vials. The perfume or aromatic vinegar would be contained within these boxes soaked in a sponge.

The Chinese Export silver vinaigrette in the centre is particularly unusual – a rare piece.  The lid, base and sides are closely worked with different scenes.  The interior gilded grill is perfect condition.

The whole vinaigrette retains much of original overall gilding

The silver vinaigrette in the box is also unusual.   It dates from 1828 – almost two hundred years old and is still in its original box ! – obviously a much cared for piece

Note the fine work on the grill in the third vinaigrette – so small and yet so perfect.

For the collector it is essential that the inner grill is in perfect condition

Gentleman’s dressing cases would contain bottles and jars for colognes, aftershaves and creams as well as essential shaving and manicure tools. As these boxes became more popular, many further travelling item options were offered for inclusion. By the early Victorian era, ladies also began to travel and suddenly their requirements were anything but utilitarian! Ladies dressing cases could feature a wide range of decorative bottles and jars as well as a vast array of beautification tools, all designed with pure luxury in mind. The exterior of the box became almost as important as the interior and these boxes started being veneered with beautiful exotic woods from all over the world.

These boxes, with their excessive price tags, were now considered as true works of art and beauty in their own right, and were often bought as status symbols rather than actual travelling companions.

This burl wood vanity case  would have been specially commissioned for a lady with all the jars and the manicure set.

The initials of the original owner are inlaid into the top and are also engraved on the silver pieces

The back bottles would have held perfumes and colognes, the one lying on its  side may have been for smelling salts.  The long one at the front would have been for a tooth brush and tooth paste.

The top layer lifts to give space for treasures.

The bottom drawer pops out when a button at the centre of the hinged lid  is pressed .  The leather top of that drawer would have been for writing.  The top lifts to reveal a fitted space for rings and other jewels.

The velvet lined lid comes out and there is a mirror. This opens to form a pouch for letters.

Everything has been thought of.

Pack one large vanity burl wood box , lock it up for safety ( the original keys are still here ) and you could go on your travels

The cut crystal bases have sterling silver tops and original stoppers

Drop by to see what we have

Each has the original stopper