Perfume bottle

1760s

Not on view

Imported from overseas, bloodstone has long been thought to have healing and protective properties beneficial to people who own it or carry it on their person. In addition, the perfume stored inside this elegant bottle not only made up for the lack of personal hygiene but also helped to ward off foul odors, which were though to carry disease. This gemstone owes its name to the randomly arranged red splashes of iron oxide minerals which look like spattered blood.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Perfume bottle
Date: 1760s
Culture: Probably English
Medium: Gold, bloodstone
Dimensions: confirmed: 2 13/16 × 2 1/16 × 1/2 in. (7.1 × 5.3 × 1.3 cm)
Classification: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum
Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019
Object Number: 2019.283.109a, b
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Box with scene depicting Roman hero Gaius Mucius Scaevola before the Etruscan king Lars Porsena, P R British, Gold, British, London — Box with scene depicting Roman hero Gaius Mucius Scaevola before the Etruscan king Lars Porsena
P R
George Michael Moser
1741

Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock, James Cox British, Case: gold with diamonds and paste jewels set in silver, pearls; Dial: white enamel; Movement: partly gilded brass and steel, wheel balance and cock of silver set with paste jewels, British, London — Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock
James Cox
1766

Vase with cover (one of a pair), I H British, Silver gilt, British, London — Vase with cover (one of a pair)
I H
1675–76

Ewer, Samuel Margas Jr. British, Silver gilt, British, London — Ewer
Samuel Margas Jr.
ca. 1721

Wine cooler (one of a pair), William Lukin I British, Silver, British, London — Wine cooler (one of a pair)
William Lukin I
1716/17

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.