Silver vinaigrettes served as a fashionable adornment, aromatic accessory, and sanitation device in one through the early 19th century. These small boxes, typically between an inch and two inches in size, contained a sponge soaked in vinaigres de toilette (aromatic vinegars), or perfume. Silver vinaigrettes would always be gilded at the point where the sponge would touch the metal. This was to avoid any corrosion.
Vinaigrettes would be carried throughout the day to disguise the unpleasant smells of a world that did not fully appreciate the merits of bathing. It was believed that the smells themselves were what caused the illnesses so by not being able to smell the foulness, aristocrats believed themselves protected. The ladies’ attendants also found the vinaigrette useful in reviving their mistress after she had swooned and fainted.
Today, vinaigrettes are a highly collectable item of antique silver, some specialist makers are Nathaniel Mills, John Betteridge, Joseph Taylor, Joseph Willmore, and Samuel Pemberton. Here at William Walter Antiques we have a delightful selection.
