What items are included in a vanity set?

Vanity sets typically comprise dressing table accessories such as hand mirrors, button hooks, scent bottles, trinket boxes and manicure tools. These matched or assembled collections served personal grooming routines in Edwardian and Victorian bedrooms. Many pieces were housed in original fitted cases lined with velvet or silk to protect the sterling silver and glass components during travel or daily storage.

How do I identify Art Deco vanity pieces?

Art Deco vanity pieces feature geometric lines, symmetrical styling and vibrant enamelling that distinguish them from earlier Victorian and Edwardian items. Look for streamlined forms on scent bottles, compacts and dressing table sets dating from the nineteen-twenties and nineteen-thirties. Enamel work from this period often utilises bold colour palettes and engine-turned guilloche patterns beneath translucent layers.

How should I clean silver vanity accessories?

Cleaning sterling silver requires a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver polish formulated to remove tarnish without scratching the metal surface. Care must be taken around inset glass, enamel panels or velvet linings to prevent moisture damage. Frequent light dusting helps preserve the original shine and prevents heavy tarnish accumulation on embossed or chased details.

Are cut glass scent bottles original to their silver mounts?

Most period scent bottles and jars feature cut glass or crystal bodies paired specifically with hallmarked sterling silver collars and lids by the maker. The mounts were fitted directly to the glass necks during production. Examining the fit between the silver collar and the glass rim helps confirm original assembly, while hallmarks on the lid verify the period.