Antique 1875 French Cranberry Cut Glass Double Scent & Salts Bottle Solid Silver For Sale

✨ ANTIQUE FRENCH DOUBLE-ENDED SCENT & SALTS BOTTLE — TESTED SOLID SILVER ✨

An extraordinary circa 1875–1890 French-attributed double-ended scent and smelling-salts bottle featuring jewel-like cranberry-pink cut glass and two elaborately decorated solid-silver caps.

Every metal component was individually tested by firmly rubbing a discreet lower edge against a JSP testing stone. Silver-testing acid was then applied exclusively to the resulting metal streaks on the stone—no acid touched the bottle, glass, caps or fittings. Each streak produced an immediate, strong and persistent red reaction consistent with solid silver of at least sterling fineness—.925 purity or higher—according to the JSP testing scale.

The bottle has been left exactly as found by the current owner. No cleaning or polishing has been performed since its acquisition, allowing the richly developed silver patina and evidence of genuine antique age to remain undisturbed. No representation is made regarding cleaning or conservation that may have occurred before its acquisition.

Dating approximately to 1875–1890, this compact double-ended form would traditionally have accommodated scent or perfume at one end and smelling salts at the other. One end has a removable threaded screw cap, while the opposite end has a hinged snap cap that pops open and closes with a satisfying snap.

Each silver cap carries its own slightly different but complementary pattern of raised flowers, leaves and scrolling foliage. The two patterns are not identical; their differences are intentional parts of this description and are clearly shown in the photographs. The densely worked ornament is beautifully emphasized by its naturally darkened patina.

The substantial cranberry or ruby-pink glass body has a remarkable jewel-like appearance, with complex pale and clear mottling beneath broad cut and polished facets. A deeply faceted central waist visually separates the bottle’s two chambers.

⚠️ IMPORTANT BUYER NOTICE

This is an unmarked antique offered on the basis of its physical characteristics, touchstone testing, oral provenance and the current owner’s in-hand examination. Its estimated date, French origin, precise silver fineness, maker and glassworks are not supported by hallmarks, signatures, factory records or a laboratory certificate.

Please read the complete description and carefully examine every photograph before purchasing. The photographs document the bottle’s actual appearance, differing cap patterns, age-related wear, patina, interior residue and present condition. This bottle is being sold as an antique collectible or display object—not as a functional container for modern perfume or liquids.

🌸 DETAILS

• Estimated date: Circa 1875–1890

• Period/style: Late Victorian / early Belle Époque

• Origin: France by seller attribution and oral provenance

• Form: Double-ended scent and smelling-salts bottle

• Overall length: Approximately 101.35mm or 3.99 inches

• Total weight: Approximately 60.82 grams or 2.145 ounces

• Removable screw-cap weight: Approximately 1.67 grams

• Glass color: Cranberry or ruby pink with pale and clear mottling

• Broad cut and polished facets

• Deeply faceted central waist

• One removable threaded screw cap

• One hinged snap cap

• Coordinating but non-identical floral, foliate and scroll decoration

• Touchstone-tested solid-silver caps and fittings

• Maker and glassworks unknown

• No visible signatures or hallmarks

• Preserved in as-found, unpolished condition

All measurements and weights were taken by the current owner using personal measuring equipment and are approximate. Minor differences may occur between instruments.

🔍 SOLID-SILVER TESTING

No hallmarks are visible, including after careful examination of the caps, collars, hinge, concealed edges and accessible fittings under a 30× LED loupe.

Each separate metal component was individually tested using a JSP touchstone method. A discreet lower edge of each component was firmly rubbed against the testing stone to deposit a metal streak. JSP silver-testing acid was then applied only to the deposited streak. At no time did the testing acid touch the actual bottle, glass, caps, collars or fittings.

Every tested streak produced an immediate, strong red reaction that remained clearly visible after more than four minutes. According to the JSP testing scale, the observed reaction is consistent with solid silver of at least .925 sterling fineness.

The samples produced consistent silver reactions, with no visible plating transition or contrasting base-metal response observed during testing. The fittings are therefore represented as touchstone-tested solid silver rather than silver plate or merely silver-colored metal.

Touchstone acid testing is qualitative and is not equivalent to laboratory assay or XRF analysis. The precise numerical fineness is not stamped on the bottle and has not been independently certified. The testing method, limitations and observed results are disclosed so buyers may evaluate the evidence for themselves.

The removable screw cap weighs only approximately 1.67 grams. Very small antique silver articles and lightweight mounts were not invariably hallmarked, so the absence of hallmarks does not by itself contradict the testing results.

🇫🇷 PROVENANCE AND ATTRIBUTION

This bottle was acquired directly from a French couple who reside in France and also maintain a home in New York. They stated that they brought the bottle with them from France and described it as an antique French-made Belle Époque scent bottle. They referred to the glass as a “cranberry pattern.”

These statements are included as oral provenance only and are not supported by purchase records, export papers, maker’s marks or other documentary evidence. The circa 1875–1890 estimate reflects the bottle’s form, construction, ornament and the current owner’s in-hand examination. The precise manufacturing date, country, maker, silver workshop and glassworks cannot be conclusively established.

🕰️ CONDITION

Very good overall antique condition for an object estimated to be approximately 135–150 years old, with age-related wear and residue as fully described and photographed.

The bottle has been deliberately preserved in the condition in which it was acquired. No silver polish, chemical cleaner or other cleaning treatment has been applied by the current owner. The naturally developed dark patina, tarnish and oxidation have been left undisturbed for the next owner to preserve or professionally conserve according to personal preference.

No chips, cracks or breaks were identified in the glass during careful visual inspection. This was an owner inspection rather than a professional conservation examination. The heavy faceting, mottling, reflections and interior residue can make extremely small imperfections difficult to distinguish.

Expected age-related characteristics include surface scratches and scuffs, rubbed or dulled areas, cloudiness, color variation, tiny surface marks, and old deposits or residue within or beneath portions of the glass and fittings. These characteristics are part of the bottle’s present antique condition and should not be interpreted as a pristine or newly manufactured surface.

The solid-silver caps and collars exhibit naturally developed patina, tarnish, oxidation, surface wear, small marks and minor edge irregularities. Metal samples were obtained from discreet lower edges by rubbing the components against a testing stone. No testing acid or chemical solution touched any part of the bottle itself.

Both caps are present and display different but complementary raised patterns. No independent documentation is available to establish the maker or confirm the original workshop configuration of every component.

Aged sealing material and residue remain visible inside the closures, as clearly shown in the photographs. No claim is made that internal sealing material, gaskets, stoppers or residue are complete, original, sanitary or suitable for reuse.

The threaded cap and hinged snap closure open and close as photographed at the time of listing. Their operation is disclosed only as an observation of present condition and is not a guarantee of airtightness, liquid-tightness, future mechanical performance or suitability for repeated daily use.

Neither chamber has been filled or tested with liquid. The bottle is not represented as airtight, leakproof, sanitized or suitable for holding modern perfume, smelling salts, cosmetics, consumable substances or other liquids. It is offered strictly as an antique collectible or display piece in its present condition.

Please enlarge and carefully examine every photograph. The photographs form an important and inseparable part of the description and condition report and show the exact bottle being offered. If any photographed characteristic is important to your purchasing decision, please ask for clarification before purchasing.

📷 PHOTOGRAPHY & COLOR DISCLOSURE

This unusual glass responds dramatically to changes in lighting, causing its apparent color, depth, clarity and saturation to vary noticeably from one photograph to another.

Most photographs were taken in ordinary indoor lighting. The final two photographs were taken indoors beside a window under brighter natural and ambient light to demonstrate how the glass appears when more strongly illuminated.

The bottle’s colors have not been digitally altered, enhanced or manipulated in any way—no color filters, hue changes or saturation adjustments were applied to the bottle. Because lighting conditions, automatic camera processing and individual device or screen settings vary, the cranberry-pink and ruby tones may appear lighter, darker, warmer, cooler, more translucent or more saturated on different displays and under different viewing conditions.

Please consider all photographs together as complementary views of the same bottle rather than expecting its color to appear identical under every type of lighting.

Any measuring tape, coin, flowers, hand or other photographic props shown are included only to demonstrate scale or presentation. They are not included in the sale. The antique bottle shown is the only item being sold.

No claims are made regarding a specific maker or factory, exact manufacturing date or location, precise glassmaking technique, certified silver fineness, original contents, original airtightness or present-day liquid-holding capability.

📦 SHIPPING

• FREE USPS Ground Advantage shipping within the United States

• Full insurance and tracking included

• Carefully wrapped and packed in an oversized, highly secure shipping box

• No bubble mailers—ever

• International shipping through International Shipping is FREE where available

↩️ RETURNS

All sales are final unless the item has been grossly misrepresented. Please carefully review the complete description, approximate measurements and all photographs, and feel free to ask any questions before purchasing.

A remarkably ornate survivor from the elegant world of late-19th-century French fragrance, preserved with its original aged character intact. 🌹