Antique French Perfume Casket

A small casket of bevelled glass held in a gilt brass frame, made to house a single scent bottle. Every pane is bevelled at the edges and set within a fine beaded gilt border. A reeded bail handle sits on the hinged lid, and the casket stands on four turned feet. The base inside is lined in ivory silk, with a gilt fitting that holds the bottle in place.

The bottle is fluted cut crystal with a decorated gilt cap, and it still has its stopper. That's worth noting, because stoppers are so often lost from pieces like this.

It's in the manner of the Palais Royal workshops, whose small luxuries of glass and gilt metal stood on the dressing tables of nineteenth-century Paris. Set it on a vanity or a bookshelf, or anywhere the light can pass through it.

Details

• Bevelled glass and gilt brass casket with hinged lid and bail handle
• Cut crystal scent bottle with gilt cap and stopper
• Silk-lined interior
• France, 19th century
• Condition: Excellent antique condition. The bottle still has its stopper.