What is an antique sterling vinaigrette used for?

These miniature containers held a sponge soaked in aromatic vinegar or perfume to help users combat foul odours encountered in crowded streets or poorly ventilated rooms. Carried in a pocket or handbag, they also served as a restorative remedy for faintness or fatigue during the Georgian and Victorian periods.

How do you open an antique sterling vinaigrette?

Most pieces feature a tiny thumbpiece or catch on the outer rim that releases the main lid to reveal the decorative pierced grille inside. A second, smaller hinge or catch often secures the grille itself, allowing access to the sponge compartment beneath.

How can you tell a vinaigrette from a snuff box?

The primary distinction lies on the inside, where a vinaigrette contains a removable or hinged pierced metal grille designed to hold a wet sponge. A snuff box lacks this internal plate, featuring a plain interior intended to hold loose dry tobacco powder.

Are original sponges usually included?

Original sponges rarely survive centuries of use and cleaning, though exceptional surviving examples occasionally retain them alongside fitted leather presentation cases. When a sponge is missing, collectors often substitute a modern synthetic or natural equivalent cut to fit the compartment.

Search 0

61,874 PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 173 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS

Sorted by

Per page

VISITOR LOGIN JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN

Saved

GIFTS

Sterling Vinaigrette

173 ITEMS ADDED TODAY

Visitor Login (saved items)

Sort Order

Items Per Page

Antique Sterling Vinaigrette

36 items · page 3 of 3

← Page 3 of 3 →

An antique sterling vinaigrette is a small silver container holding a fragrant, sponge-filled compartment designed to mask unpleasant odours in public spaces.

George III Silver and Agate Vinaigrette Edinburgh 1810

18th century

Save

George III Silver and Agate Vinaigrette Edinburgh 1810

From Highland Antiques Ltd

£895

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

19th century

Save

Extremely Rare Victorian Silver Castle Top Vinaigrette Showing Christchurch College, Oxford 1851

From Sandbanks Antiques

£9,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

19th century

Save

Good Quality Georgian Sterling Silver Gilt Vinaigrette

From Piers Rankin Antique Silver

£255

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

19th century

Save

Victorian Sterling Silver Cased Scent Bottle

From Beechmount Antiques

£185

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

← 1 2 3 →

65,659

Antiques For Sale

173

Antiques Approved Today

2,975

Antique Uploads This Month

443,677

Total Antiques Sold

Antique Sterling Vinaigrette

George III Silver and Agate Vinaigrette Edinburgh 1810

Extremely Rare Victorian Silver Castle Top Vinaigrette Showing Christchurch College, Oxford 1851

Good Quality Georgian Sterling Silver Gilt Vinaigrette

Victorian Sterling Silver Cased Scent Bottle

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Period

Style

Material

Origin

Stock Location

Recently Added

Online Payments

Categories