Vinaigrette

Gervase Wheeler whose mark was registered in Birmingham in 1831, ran a successful business in that city. His work is represented in The Met’s holdings by two purse-shaped vinaigrettes (1983.575.19 and .49), both with twisted rope handles. This vinaigrette is engraved with foliate scrolls. The interior has a pierced hinged grille and retains a small piece of fine sponge inside.

A vinaigrette was intended to hold a tiny sponge dipped in aromatic vinegar. Its interior Is gilded to protect the silver from oxidation caused by the acidity of the vinegar. A hinged and decoratively pierced inner lid or grille kept the sponge in place while its perforations allowed the odor to waft through. A whiff of the vinegar might revive someone from a fainting spell. Such vinaigrettes were worn around the neck, on a chatelaine suspended from the waist, or carried in a pocket.