Vinaigrette box 1817

This vinaigrette box, created by Lawrence & Co., is an intimate object meant to carry a scent. These containers were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, when personal hygiene practices weren't what they are today. The box's silver surface is intricately engraved with floral designs, reflecting a period when nature motifs were highly fashionable, and femininity was heightened. But it's more than just decoration. Vinaigrette boxes were often used by women to mask unpleasant odors in crowded or unsanitary environments. For women, the act of taking a sniff was discreet, and allowed them to maintain composure in a world where their presence was often confined to carefully curated appearances. This box represents the constraints and expectations placed on women, where even their sensory experiences were mediated through objects of refinement. It asks us to consider how gender, class, and personal experience intersect.