Time to sell a lot of our 'this and that' spare items - I'll be listing loads of them in weeks ahead. The things we set aside in deference to more fabulous or valuable antiques just owing to time constraints. Amazing how that relegated 'this and that' has multiplied over time! This one is an English Georgian to early Victorian Era vinaigrette of sorts, quite original form with the salts still in the flask and the gold embossed vendor's cachet on the case. "Henry's Aromatic Vinegar Salts". Charming for perfume collectors, and must be rare. I have never found or seen or been able to locate another quite like it. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. I am not positive of age, though it's typical of Georgian era. Henry might well be French, but it's marketed to an English market. It was the habit to carry such little scent flasks or 'vinaigrette' when one went into public, and hold it to the nose to overpower the odors one might encounter passing by the unwashed masses. The flask is French and is like those in scent etui we know are 18th century. I find no flaws, no breaks, the stopper is stuck only from the scent or oils one used within. I have not tried to remove it since it's fabulous with the original salts intact. Leather etui is lightly patterned in lines and is in remarkable condition for age.
