Georgian vinaigrette

Darling little 18 carat gold vinaigrette in the form of a purse, circa 1820. The obverse is three colour gold and embellished with a trailing rose, a leaf and turquoise for forget-me-not. To interior a gold decoratively pierced vinaigrette compartment under a hinged crystal. Vinaigrettes, popular from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, were small containers used for holding aromatic substances which were soaked into a tiny piece of sponge and placed underneath the perforated interior grille. This vinaigrette measures 1 and 1/4 inches by 2/3 of an inch and is fine quality and immaculate.

£1950