Pretty Napoleon III salt bottle in cut overlay crystal, dating from the 2nd half of the 19th century.
This type of bottle, most often filled with stimulants based on ammonium carbonate, or various acids, was used to allow the lady prone to fainting, due to a corset that was too tight, to come back to her senses. This little object, very useful at one time, was always close at hand. Today these little miniature bottles are collected and often highly sought after.
The word "overlay" refers to a crystal or opaline object made up of two or three opaque or translucent layers of different colors superimposed but it can also be doubled or triple crystal on enamel. The object is then cold cut in hollow or relief to form reserves in contrasting colors and to reveal the pattern (source: Le Magazine de Proantic, August 6, 2015).
Here, the bottle is in 2 colors: opaque white or opaline and red. Originally, it was painted with golden motifs of which some traces remain.
This bottle is very graceful and will look great in a window.
Note: the hinged cap is missing and the bottle has a small missing red crystal on the top of each side (see photos).
Dimensions: height 7 cm, width 3 cm, weight 47 g.
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