Antiques M.S. Rau | Mother Of Pearl Vinaigrette, 19Th Century

This Delightful Gold And Mother Of Pearl Vinaigrette Is Ripe With 19Th-Century Charm. Emblazoned With The Initials “E.L” For Its Original Owner, The Book-Shaped Vinaigrette Almost Certainly Belonged To A High-Class Reader. The Combination Of Mother Of Pearl And Gold Was Exceptionally Rare For This Era, Adding Further Appeal To This Uniquely Beautiful Item.

Gentlemen And Ladies Utilized Vinaigrettes To Avoid The Pungent Smells Of 18Th- And 19Th-Century City Streets. After Placing Perfume-Soaked Materials Inside The Vessel, Wearers Would Simply Lift The Vinaigrette To Their Nose To Smell More Appealing Aromas. With The Scented Agents Held In Place By A Pierced Lid, Exquisitely Ornate Vinaigrettes Such As This Book-Shaped Beauty Worked To Help Neutralize The Scents Of Burgeoning City Life.

1/2″ High By 1 3/8″ Wide By 7/8″ Deep