Object of the Day: Victorian Mother-of-Pearl Scent Holder

I bought this object several years ago, not knowing what it was at first. I was attracted to the graceful mother-of-pearl shells that closed around two crystal bottles which are suspended in ormolu mounts. When I got it home, I realized that it’s a scent holder or scent stand. Pushing on the bronze post opens the shell which sits on an alabaster base. A lady would have kept two different scents in this container.

Though very few of these remain today, we know that very often these were sold as toilette sets which included a ring-stand, and, sometimes a small mirror. Occasionally, a mother-of-pearl and sterling miniature container came with these sets for use in travel.

I love this antique. It is pure Victoriana from the sheen of the mother-of-pearl to the naturalistic and architectural shape of it. It’s testament to the Victorian love of making all things beautiful—an ideal we should strive for today.