Collecting antique perfume bottles
Collecting antique perfume bottles
My sister collects antique perfume bottles. She has for as long as I can remember. Her interest in antique perfume bottles began when she was a child. Like most children, she loved things that glittered and sparkled. She loved costume jewelry, shiny rocks and even my grandmother’s glass doorknobs. It only stood to reason that she would like decorative glass as well.
Her collection began with an old decorative aftershave bottle that was bought for my father years earlier. Avon used to put its aftershave for men in attractive glass ornaments styled as automobiles and the like. My sister loved the items so much that my mother began collecting similar items for her to keep, as long as she took very good care of them.
Not only did my sister take good care of the glassware, she wound up stocking up an impressive collection of antique perfume bottles in the process. There are some items in the group that are really appealing. You can spend a good deal of time sifting through the seemingly endless assortment of glass.
However, not all of the antique perfume bottles were made of glass. I favor a few items in the assortment that are made out of metal. One of these metal items was either used for fragrance or for smelling salts. I like this piece because it is a little mysterious and because it is dated 1914 which makes it even more interesting.
I also like that some of the items in my sister’s collection tell stories that were shared by my family member. One story stands out about a mermaid and her fragrance carried by friendly fish. My grandmother gave my a particular set that still has me green with envy. The vintage bottles were a pair of fish.
These antique perfume bottles had cast metal holders. The caps screwed on the top and each cap had a “dab tube” that was used to dispense a modest amount of fragrance for the wearer. The antique perfume bottles boasted the finest detail including fish scales that almost looked real.
I have to say that these are my particular favorite among my sister’s collection. She would argue that this is because they were not made of glass. Maybe she is right. I personally never found glass to be of any particular interest. However, seeing her collection of antique perfume bottles is a real treat even for those of us who are not fascinated with glimmer.
People collect all types of items, but why collect everyday boring objects like shot glasses and stamps? If you’re looking for something unique to start stocking up on, consider antique perfume bottles. These bottles are beautiful and different. While many people don’t think about these as collectable items, they meet all the criteria of collectibles and have a fun quality all to themselves.
These beautiful glass masterpieces are unique not only in idea, but in design as well. It’s a very rare occasion when you find two antique perfume bottles exactly alike. They vary in everything from style, color, shape, type, and size. This fact allows for the opportunity of having a large collection of an impressive size. Unlike other collectables, you can find these antique perfume bottles in a wide variety of stores and shops. Depending on where you look, their prices contrast as well. Sometimes you’ll pay just .50 cents, and other times you can pay $50.00.
The texture of the glass can be very unusual. You can find raised patterns, like in the Petite Heart Designer antique perfume bottles which has flowers and hearts stamped into the front of the bottle. Some antique perfume bottles might even have an edged texture, like the Christmas Tress perfume bottle, whose glass is cut. Sometimes the texture can be smooth, and other times it can have ridges circling the bottle. If you find antique perfume bottles that have a sandpapery texture, which are rare, count yourself lucky. While these bottles are out there, they can be difficult to find.
You may also find pieces that can sport odd shapes and sizes. There are containers on the market that seem so small it seems almost impossible that you could squeeze any perfume in them at all. Other times you can find extremely elongated antique perfume bottles that look more like a slender vase, more than they do scent holders. One great example of this is the Crystal Clear Lacey Intricate bottle, which looks just like a vase from a distance.
Aside from antique stores, you can find them on the Internet. Along with finding a wider range of antique perfume bottles, you also have the additional benefit of getting these beauties directly from other countries. Some of these antiques can trace back to other countries, such as Europe and Egypt.
A nice thing about them is the amazing styles you can find. Sometimes these antique perfume bottles can be so unique in design they don’t even look like a bottle. One great example is the Lady’s Read Hat Society bottle. This cute container is in the exact shape of a 1920s woman. The Cat’s Meow, Prancing Glass Hors, and Bird on a Flower are fun proof of how great collecting them can really be!
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