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.