Description

A charming little antique silver gilt egg vinaigrette. The red and white enamel decoration has a delightful scene of a young girl with her dog. Inside, the small circular pierced grill is removable. Weight 8 grams. Length 2.2 cms. Diameter 1.6 cms. Continental probably Viennese. Maker SG. Circa 1880.

Literature: Vinaigrettes, popular from the late 18th century through the end of the 19th century, were small containers used for holding various aromatic substances, usually dissolved in vinegar. A tiny piece of sponge, soaked in the liquid, was contained beneath a grill or perforated cover. Ladies used to carry a vinaigrette with them to combat the aroma from the waste products common in cities. Likewise, the practice of wearing tight corsets also regularly caused woman to faint, requiring the need to carry smelling salts.

This delightful little box is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. The enamel is undamaged. The gilt is not worn. The inside lid and base are marked with crisp, clear continental silver stamps. The grill is unmarked. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation

No maker assigned

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.