Smelling Bottle

Date1860-1890

MediumBlown and cut amber colored glass with polychrome enamel and gilding; metal

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width ): 6 1/4 x 1/2in. (15.9 x 1.3cm)

ClassificationsGlassware

Credit LineGift of Percy H. Goodsell, Jr.

Object number1960.15.10

DescriptionBlown and cut amber colored glass smelling bottle. The slender, elongated smelling bottle has a cylindrical neck, low, sloping shoulders, slightly tapered square sides, and a flat bottom. There is a band of gilding at the rim and at the neck. The two wide sides of the bottle each have a vertically-oriented design of three evenly-spaced, cut oval indentations, each of which is hand-painted with green leaves and a small red, pink, and white flower. Between each oval are three "X"s drawn in thick gilding. Small red glass beads have been glued to the bottle between each "X" and below the bottom cut oval. On the two narrower sides of the bottle, there is a long gilt vine with small leaves on either side. Additional gilding has been added to the bottom of the bottle. The smelling bottle does not stand independently. Instead, two metal (possibly bronze) rings circle it at the neck and above the foot. A chain connects these two rings. The thinly-applied gilding and all of the enamel has worn on all sides of the bottle. At least one small red bead is missing from one side of the bottle.

Status

Not on view