An Elegant Perfume Bottle

This small silver perfume bottle was used to hold fragrant oils or essences and formed part of the personal toilet accessories that were used daily and could be carried along. The bottle is fully engraved with foliage scrolls and a landscape scene below. On one side a river with a sailing boat and houses in the foreground. On the other side with a barge and a fisherman along the bank and a village with a church tower in the background. The sides, the fluted edges and the stopper are engraved with stylised leaf motifs. The bottom contains a romantic message. Against a red background, Cupid is depicted warming his hands on a burning heart. This scene is surrounded by the French text: Cet pour sa constanse which translate into: this is for your constancy.

The use of scented water became popular in the 17th century, particularly at the French court of Louis XIV and Louis XV. They used so much scented water that it became known as ‘The perfumed court’. Perfume played an important role in everyday life during the eighteenth century. It was believed that pleasant scents also offered protection against illness and foul vapours.

Already in ancient times the Egyptians used scents such as incense, myrrh and saffron to appease the gods. The Romans sent their gifts and prayers to the gods ‘per fumum’ – through smoke – and thus inadvertently gave perfume its name. They were so fond of fragrant perfume that they used it not only in their bath water, food and wine but also on themselves. Like animals try to attract or repel each other by spreading scents, humans try to seduce others by using attractive perfumes.

Fragrant substances were highly expensive and therefore accessible only to the elite. This little bottle would have been filled with a concentrated essence, often based on flowers, herbs, and spices imported from distant regions. Its precious contents were emphasised by the silver casing that enclosed them.

An Elegant Perfume Bottle

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