Victorian Scottish Agate Perfume Bottle

Dated 1888; Birmingham, England. This lovely Scottish Agate miniature scent bottle, also known as a vinaigrette or a scent flask, was part of daily life in the Victorian era when sanitation and hygiene weren't as advanced as they are today. A whiff of perfume or vinegar-soaked sponge (for vinaigrettes) helped mask unpleasant smells in public spaces. Considered both fashion accessories and practical personal care items, these were often gifts exchanged between lovers or friends—the intimate act of wearing a loved one’s scent close to the heart had deep sentimental resonance.