What is a victorian smelling bottle?

A victorian smelling bottle is a small personal container fashioned from glass and silver, designed to hold liquid perfume or aromatic salts. Ladies and gentlemen carried them in pockets or chatelaines during the nineteenth century to revive the senses in crowded rooms or when feeling faint.

How do double ended bottles work?

Double-ended bottles feature a central metal band with a cap at each end, allowing the owner to access two different substances. Typically, one end held liquid perfume while the other contained a sponge soaked in smelling salts.

How do I clean a scent bottle?

Cleaning requires gentle warm water and mild soap, avoiding harsh abrasives that might scratch the delicate glass or wear away old silver. Interior residue should be soaked out carefully without submerging vintage cork stoppers or fragile glued mounts.

How are silver mounts dated?

Silver mounts carry hallmarks stamped by official assay offices such as London and Birmingham, indicating the specific year of manufacture. These tiny marks include date letters, maker's initials and the lion passant denoting sterling standard silver.