Silver Vinaigrettes

Dean — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:21:19 +0000

Vinaigrettes are small perforated containers that were an essential accessory for Victorian Ladies of Distinction. They held a small wad of cloth soaked in vinegar and were held to the nose when a lady encountered any sort of noxious odor.

Noxious odors were a common fact of life in Victorian England as modern sewage disposal was still almost a century away.

Vinaigrettes were strung on chains worn around the neck or carried in Reticules, small drawstring bags that were the precursors to modern day purses and handbags.

As these accessories were carried only by women, they tend to be small and finely made and many are wonderful examples of the silversmith’s art.

Because of their relative rarity and generally excellent workmanship, Vinaigrettes tend to fetch premium prices and are highly sought after by collectors and museums around the world.

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ANT STERLING SILVER GILT VINAIGRETTE W AGATE SNUFF MULL
US $1,099.00

GEORGE III ANTIQUE SILVER VINAIGRETTE JOSEPH WILLMORE
US $249.79

GEORGIAN English Silver CAST Vinaigrette
US $1,397.27

Taylor Perry Birmingham 1836 SILVER GILT Vinaigrette
US $177.79

James Fenton Birmingham 1861 silver Fob Vinaigrette
US $48.40

George III John Shaw Birmingham 1812 Silver Vinaigrette
US $48.40

ANTIQUE SOLID SILVER VINAIGRETTE JOHN SHAW SUITCASE
US $546.42

A GEORGIAN SILVER VINAIGRETTE SNUFF BOX
US $82.74

VICTORIAN SILVER VINAIGRETTE LID GRILLE
US $7.03

Georgian Silver Vinaigrette Maker IT 1814
US $13.08

Victorian S Mordan Silver Horn Vinaigrette Whistle 1880
US $569.84

Georgian HM Silver Vinaigrette B ham 1818
US $8.59