Meissen (Germany) perfume / scent bottles

Meissen porcelain was first produced in the town of Meissen, Germany, in the early 18th century. It is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of European porcelain and has a long and fascinating history.

The story of Meissen porcelain begins in 1708, when the ruler of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, ordered the establishment of a porcelain factory in the town of Meissen. The factory was founded by a group of artisans led by Johann Friedrich Bottger, who had been searching for a way to make true porcelain for many years while trying to make heat resistant crucibles for more... goldmaking. Bottger had been imprisoned by Augustus for failing to deliver on a promise to produce gold from base metals. He was eventually released and put to work on the gold project.

For nearly six years, Böttger experimented desperately. Although unable to produce gold, he did manage to make another important breakthrough-the recipe for "true" or hard-paste porcelain that was of exceptional quality. Meissen porcelain quickly became very popular among the wealthy and powerful, and the factory grew rapidly.

Over the years, Meissen porcelain became known for its distinctive style, which featured intricate designs, delicate shapes, and bright colours. The factory also pioneered many new techniques and processes for making porcelain, including the use of moulds, the production of figurines, and the development of a wide range of glazes.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Meissen porcelain became one of the most important luxury goods produced in Europe, and the factory was widely regarded as the leader in the field. Meissen porcelain was used to create everything from tableware and decorative objects to large-scale sculptures and architectural elements.

Meissen porcelain remains highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of fine art and design. The porcelain is still produced using traditional techniques and materials, and many of the classic designs from the past continue to be popular today. less...

In the Victorian era scent bottles were often made of pressed glass, with silver or silver-plate rims and cut glass or imitation cut glass stoppers.

Generally, the customer purchased the bottle empty and had it filled by a chemist or perfumier, as ready filled bottles of perfume were not yet on the market.

The variety of shapes was enormous. The larger scent bottles were made in the shape of flagons or decanters. In the 1870s a new design was produced: the double ended bottle. This was a slim cylindrical bottle with a round or polygonal surface. Some were produced more... in clear glass, some coloured dark blue, red, green, or yellow, and some were decorated in the Nailsea style. At each end were silver or plated caps, which were heavily chased or moulded. One half of the bottle was for scent and usually had a screw cap, while the other end was hinged, often spring loaded for fast access, and was for smelling salts.

Some bottles hinged in the middle, and when you opened them there was the grating of a vinaigrette on one side and on the other a recess with a glass-covered photograph. The outer ends had normal hinge- or screw-caps so that either part of the bottle could be filled with scent.

The production of scent bottles continued into the twentieth century, though it became more customary to buy scent in ready-filled bottles from cosmetic houses. These 'package' bottles in themselves have become the object of much decorative skill, and no doubt in the not-too-distant future they will be sought after by collectors.

Some manufacturers supplied scent bottles with rubber bulbs, which could be attached to the top of the bottle to produce a fine spray of scent. Although some types of scent bottle can be expensive, there are still many examples available at a reasonable price. less...