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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: judyewright on April 20, 2018, 11:42:11 AM

Title: What the heck is this?
Post by: judyewright on April 20, 2018, 11:42:11 AM: This silver and glass thingy on a chain, with two bottles (cork stoppers). Some sort of weird oil and vinegar cruet thing?
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 20, 2018, 12:55:56 PM: Thats odd !! Are there marks on the silver part ?? Are the bottles corked ?? Is there a latch on the chain or is it solid ?? Does anything hold the bottles in ??
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: ghopper1924 on April 20, 2018, 01:02:16 PM: I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it's some type of Victorian chatelaine (chain) arrangement for perfume bottles. Usually its just for one bottle; I've never seen one with two.

Nevertheless, this may be over 100 years old and worth something. Perfume bottles are particularly hard to find with the stoppers intact.

Or....you may be right: oil and vinegar. Discriminating diners could take their condiments with them on a chain. ;)
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 20, 2018, 01:15:24 PM: How would the chain work ?? Looks like they are meant to sit upright,,,what would hold the bottles to the chain ?? I have not seen anything like this !! How big are these bottles ??
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: Ipcress on April 20, 2018, 01:34:48 PM: Hallmarks on the left bottle - might help if we know those
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 20, 2018, 01:39:36 PM: Right !!
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: ghopper1924 on April 20, 2018, 03:00:00 PM: Upon magnifying the picture it looks like there is a hinge between the bottles, and that they might rest together "butt to butt."

I HAVE seen Victorian perfume bottles with two chambers, sometimes called "half and halfs."
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 20, 2018, 03:55:46 PM: https://www.google.com/search?q=Victorian+chatelaine+perfume+bottles&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b

Victorian perfume bottles were usually more elaborate than these !!
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: Rauville on April 20, 2018, 04:10:30 PM: Check the link below for a set of "Opera Glasses / Smelling Salts..." (Go down to 4th row, right hand side.).
http://www.antiquecolouredglass.info/Scent%20Bottles.htm (http://www.antiquecolouredglass.info/Scent%20Bottles.htm)
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 20, 2018, 07:12:02 PM: Excellent Rauville,, Should have known that you would know what they are !! Would these have glass in the "glasses" part ??
The link didn`t give a price to reference !! What does one do with the smelling salts when using the opera glasses ?? Glasses are not very fashionable but I guess they work !!
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: Ipcress on April 21, 2018, 04:08:49 AM: How could you look throw those with the covers in that position ?!
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: Ipcress on April 21, 2018, 04:10:33 AM: I’m amazed these didn’t catch on.....

http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/38893/c1870-double-ended-binocular-opera-glass-form-scent-perfume-bottle/
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: cogar on April 21, 2018, 04:36:50 AM: Quote from: mart on April 20, 2018, 01:15:24 PM
How would the chain work ?? Looks like they are meant to sit upright,,,what would hold the bottles to the chain ?? I have not seen anything like this !! How big are these bottles ??

When photo is enlarged, one can see there is a groove around the base of the bottle for the clasp to hold it.
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: ghopper1924 on April 21, 2018, 06:22:37 PM: Quote from: Ipcress on April 21, 2018, 04:10:33 AM
I’m amazed these didn’t catch on.....

http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/38893/c1870-double-ended-binocular-opera-glass-form-scent-perfume-bottle/

Double-ended perfume? That sounds weirdly familiar.......
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: KC on April 21, 2018, 08:51:25 PM: Nice catch Rauville.

I don't see how they work either - except that it was a novelty (kind of like Avon made their containers novel over the years.)
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: SophieMarie on April 22, 2018, 12:27:44 AM: I think they are Victorian scent (salt) bottles in the "opera glass" style. So, you don't actually look through the glasses. Here is an example (without chain for wearing):

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126951509/collectible-bottle-antique-red-glass?show_sold_out_detai l=1

This one is a combination scent (perfume and salt) bottle:
http://www.onlinegalleries.com/art-and-antiques/detail/antique-rare-opera-scent-bottle/278879

This is another version with a locket at the bottom:
http://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/Sterling-Silver-Gilt-and-Glass-Combination-Scent-Bottle-Vinaigrette-Locket-Antique-Victorian-62p3651.htm#.VbdhT_kYFac

It would be great to see the top and bottom of the item in question, and also to know if there are any markings...
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 22, 2018, 07:55:17 AM: Didn`t know smelling salts were so popular !! Guess the ladies fainted a lot !!
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: Pelady on April 22, 2018, 08:20:03 AM: The prices on the English ones were wild. Wonder what it bring here?
Title: Re: What the heck is this?
Post by: mart on April 22, 2018, 09:22:42 AM: I am curious about prices too !!