An adorable and highly collectible antique Georgian sterling silver vinaigrette pendant made by John Bettridge and stamped with a full set of hallmarks for the year 1830.
A fine quality piece by a highly regarded Birmingham silversmith who specialised in small silver boxes and vinaigrettes it is beautifully crafted and hand-engraved in charming early patterns, a different one on each side. The hinged top opens to reveal a gold gilded interior and a hinged grille which is pierced in a rhombus shaped holes. Incredibly, the original sponge still nestles inside ready to soak in your favourite scent.
This vinaigrette benefits from a bale and suspension ring at the top so that it could be worn around the neck or on a chatelaine suspended from the waist, indispensable to ward of the noxious odours of the Georgian period!
Steeped in history and social culture this charming vinaigrette will make for a unique pendant, a fine gift for the collector too!
DETAILS:
MATERIALS: sterling silver, gold
MEASUREMENTS: 1-1/2" (4cm) tall measured with the bale and ring, the box is 1-1/8" by 5/8" (3x2cm), 8.4mm deep
DATE: Georgian, dated 1830
WEIGHT: 8.7 grams
HALLMARKS: stamped inside front 'William IV head' (duty mark) and 'IB' makers mark for John Bettridge and 'lion passant' for sterling. Stamped inside back 'anchor' for Birmingham, 'IB' makers mark for John Bettridge and 'date letter G' for 1830.
CONDITION: in very, very good antique condition with just the light surface wear and tooling marks that you would expect given age and use but no holes or splits. The exterior engraving is still beautifully crisp and the interior gold gilding is still lovely and bright. The lid and grille remain well fitted and close tightly.