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✨ ANTIQUE ENGLISH VICTORIAN RUBY-RED DOUBLE-ENDED SCENT & SALTS BOTTLE ✨
An extraordinary circa 1890 English Victorian double-ended scent and smelling-salts bottle featuring jewel-like deep ruby-red glass, a distinctive 10-facet cut and polished body, and two elaborately decorated silver-plated metal closures.
The surface plating on the metal fittings was tested by firmly rubbing a discreet area against a JSP testing stone. Silver-testing acid was then applied exclusively to the resulting metal streak on the stone—no acid touched the bottle, glass, caps or fittings. The transferred surface material produced an immediate blood-red reaction consistent with silver. However, the plating is thin, and yellow/brassy-colored base metal is visible beneath it in areas of wear and around portions of the threaded construction. The fittings are therefore represented as silver-plated base metal—not solid or sterling silver.
The bottle has been left exactly as found by the current owner. No aggressive cleaning or polishing has been performed since its acquisition, allowing the naturally developed patina, plating wear 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 1890, this classic 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 retaining aged cork sealing material, while the opposite end has a hinged snap cap and retains its fitted clear-glass stopper.
Each metal closure carries richly worked raised floral, foliate and scrolling ornament. The decoration gives the bottle an elegant late-Victorian character and is beautifully emphasized by the naturally aged surface and patina.
The substantial deep ruby-red glass body has a remarkable jewel-like appearance, formed with 10 broad longitudinal cut and polished facets and a narrowed, deeply faceted central waist separating the bottle’s two chambers. The ruby glass responds dramatically to illumination, producing striking variations in depth, transparency and saturation as the bottle is turned in the light.
⚠️ IMPORTANT BUYER NOTICE
This is an unmarked antique offered on the basis of its physical characteristics, collector provenance, surface-plating touchstone testing and the current owner’s in-hand examination. Its circa 1890 date, English origin, precise metal composition, 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, extremely minor age-related glass wear, patina, plating loss, surviving stopper and cork, 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 1890
• Period/style: Victorian / Late Victorian
• Origin: England by collector provenance and period attribution
• Form: Double-ended scent and smelling-salts bottle
• Overall length: Approximately 107.85mm or 4.246 inches
• Total weight: Approximately 69.58 grams or 2.454 ounces
• Glass color: Deep transparent ruby red
• 10 broad longitudinal cut and polished facets
• Decagonal / 10-sided body
• Narrowed, deeply faceted central waist
• Two separate chambers
• One removable threaded screw cap
• One hinged snap cap
• Fitted clear-glass stopper retained at hinged end
• Aged cork sealing material retained within threaded cap
• Raised floral, foliate and scroll decoration
• Silver-plated base-metal caps and fittings
• Yellow/brassy-colored underlying metal visible in areas of plating wear
• Maker and glassworks unknown
• No manufacturer attribution
• 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.
🔍 SILVER-PLATED METAL TESTING
The fittings are silver-plated base metal and are not represented as solid or sterling silver.
A discreet surface area of a fitting was firmly rubbed against a JSP 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.
The transferred surface material produced an immediate blood-red reaction consistent with silver. This establishes the presence of silver at the tested surface but does not establish that the fittings themselves are solid silver or independently certify the precise fineness of the plating.
The silver-colored layer is visibly thin in areas of wear. Yellow/brassy-colored base metal can be seen directly beneath the plating, particularly around portions of the threaded construction and other worn areas. Based upon its visible appearance, the substrate appears consistent with brass; however, the underlying metal has not been independently analyzed.
The fittings are therefore conservatively represented as silver-plated brass-colored base metal rather than sterling or solid silver. No claim is made regarding the exact silver fineness of the plating or the precise alloy of the underlying base metal.
Touchstone acid testing is qualitative and is not equivalent to laboratory assay or XRF analysis. The testing method, limitations and observed results are disclosed so buyers may evaluate the evidence for themselves.
🇬🇧 PROVENANCE AND ATTRIBUTION
This bottle was acquired from a collector in the United States and was represented as an English Victorian example dating to approximately 1890.
The circa 1890 estimate and English attribution are consistent with the bottle’s form, construction, ornament and period characteristics, but are presented as collector provenance and informed period attribution rather than a documented factory history.
No maker’s marks, hallmarks, signatures or factory records have been identified. The precise manufacturing date, maker, metal workshop and glassworks cannot be conclusively established.
🕰️ STOPPER & SURVIVING CORK
The hinged end retains its fitted clear-glass stopper, which fits the opening correctly and is believed to be original to the bottle.
The stopper is remarkably well preserved. No cracks or meaningful chips were identified during careful in-hand examination. Under close magnification, one extremely minute possible fleabite can be detected along an edge. It is exceptionally small and difficult to distinguish without magnification but is disclosed for completeness.
The opposite threaded cap retains aged cork sealing material within its interior. Its placement, fit and mechanically retained construction appear consistent with an original period sealing insert. The surviving cork is aged and incomplete and has been deliberately preserved as found.
Neither the stopper nor the surviving cork has been replaced or restored by the current owner.
🕰️ CONDITION
Beautiful overall antique condition for an object estimated to be approximately 135 years old, with extremely minor age-related wear, patina, plating loss and residue as fully described and photographed.
The bottle has been deliberately preserved in the condition in which it was acquired. No aggressive cleaning or polishing has been performed by the current owner. The naturally developed patina, tarnish, oxidation and plating wear have been left undisturbed for the next owner to preserve or professionally conserve according to personal preference.
No significant chips, cracks or breaks were identified in the ruby-red bottle body during careful visual inspection. Extremely minimal micro-fleabites are present along isolated exposed facet edges, consistent with the age, use and vulnerable high points of this type of faceted antique glass. This was an owner inspection rather than a professional conservation examination.
Expected age-related characteristics include light surface scratches and scuffs, rubbed or dulled areas, tiny surface marks, cloudiness, color variation, 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 fitted clear-glass stopper at the hinged end is remarkably well preserved. No cracks or meaningful chips were identified. One extremely minute possible fleabite is visible under close magnification, as disclosed above.
The silver-plated caps and collars exhibit naturally developed patina, tarnish, oxidation, surface wear, small marks, minor edge irregularities and localized plating loss. Yellow/brassy-colored base metal is visible beneath the thin silver plating in areas of wear. A metal sample was obtained from a discreet surface area by rubbing it against a testing stone. No testing acid or chemical solution touched any part of the bottle itself.
Aged cork sealing material remains inside the threaded cap, and aged residue or deposits may remain within the closures and chambers, as shown in the photographs. These materials have intentionally been left undisturbed. The surviving cork is not represented as complete, 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 deep ruby-red glass responds dramatically to changes in lighting, causing its apparent color, depth, clarity and saturation to vary noticeably from one photograph to another.
Depending upon illumination, reflections, exposure and viewing angle, the glass may photograph lighter, darker, warmer, cooler, pinker or more deeply saturated. Under some warmer lighting conditions, portions of the glass may appear more orange-red in photographs than the rich ruby-red color seen in person.
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 ruby-red tones may appear somewhat different 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, precise glassmaking technique, certified silver-plating fineness, exact composition of the underlying base metal, 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 complete survivor from Victorian England, distinguished by its jewel-like 10-facet ruby glass, ornate silver-plated fittings, fitted glass stopper and surviving aged cork sealing material, preserved with its authentic late-19th-century character intact. 🌹
