Topic: Faceted phial shaped perfume bottle

[josordoni]

I have a feeling this might be earlier than I first thought, can any of the antique glass experts give me an idea of probably age (and anything else that might be helpful) for this pretty little perfume phial?  Length is 3.5 ins 80 mm including stopper.

I have another (pic 2) , longer one with the same sort of faceting found on Georgian wine stems, with the same squared foot piece, with no stopper - this one is 4.25 ins 110 mm without stopper.

thanks in advance

[18thCGlass]

Hi Lynne

These are known as Oxford Lavender bottles or phials and apparently were disposable items; though I can't see why? Extravagance! They were sold throughout the 19th century pre-filled with perfume or lavender water. The earlier examples had simple notch or cross cutting and were gilded in line with glass fashion at the time. Later examples had less cutting and some had enamelled decoration; again in line with glass fashion. Your examples are most probably first half 19th century; say 1820-40. As far as I am aware; they were all sold with glass stoppers; so one of yours is missing its stopper.

Examples:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OXFORD-LAVENDER-SCENT-BOTTLE-CIRCA-1800'S_W0QQitemZ150204966881QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/blueheron/item/ax201283
http://cgi.ebay.es/Antique-OXFORD-LAVENDER-Scent-Perfume-Bottle-NO-RES_W0QQitemZ270197544159QQihZ017QQcategoryZ602QQcmdZViewItem

Regards. Trev.

[josordoni]

Trev, that is fantastic, thank you so much.  I like these very much, I think the little oblong base is very delicate, and the whole thing much nicer than the double ended perfumes I see more often.

As you say, what extravagance to throw them away! 

Am I right in thinking the style of the faceting on the one without a stopper is similar to that on Georgian wine and ale glasses?

[18thCGlass]

Happy to help Lynne

I think we have identified one of those small antique glass items that are currently very undervalued and of some age. But then age doesn't dictate current value; Roman 'tear' bottles are not that more expensive currently! There we are! The 18th century has sometimes been described as 'the age of exuberance' and perhaps the 19th century could be described as 'the age of extravagance'!; for the 'haves'; not the 'have nots'!

Yes; you are correct, the last type of 18th C Georgian drinking glass was the facet stem; the dates of which are roughly 1760-1800, however 1760 would see very early examples and 1770 would be a more generally accepted start date and 1800 again would be a generally accepted end date; however 1820 would probably see the end of the style. The Regency period could probably be described as the most extravagant period and was the period when cut glass was at its most popular; and most sumptuous the pieces are. This is when I would think your Oxford bottles were produced. It's interesting to note that there are commonalities across disciplines. The cross cutting on your scents may be broadly compared to bright cutting on Georgian silver of around that period.

Incidentally; they were produced in all sizes, from around 2" through to around 8"; presumably sold on volume of perfume and the glass value ignored.

Enjoy. Trev.