Scent bottle 1745 - 1760

This porcelain scent bottle was crafted by the Saint James's Factory in England, sometime between 1749 and 1759. The perfume bottle, shaped as a ‘Bough Pot’ imitates a naturalistic bouquet. During the eighteenth century, scent bottles were more than mere containers, they were statements of wealth and taste. These objects speak to the rituals of scent that were deeply entwined with social identity. In a society that was increasingly obsessed with cleanliness, perfume served to mask odors, and its use marked one's status within the social hierarchy. Think about how the creation and use of such a delicate object reflects the dynamics of a society that was at once captivated by beauty, and deeply structured by class. The scent bottle becomes a poignant artifact, embodying the complex interplay between personal identity and social artifice.