Vinaigrette box 1834

This is a silver vinaigrette box, just over an inch in length, made by Nathaniel Mills sometime in the 19th century. In the 1800's, when urban living conditions were less than ideal, these tiny boxes, filled with a sponge soaked in vinegar and perfumes, were used to mask unpleasant odors. Consider for a moment the context of Victorian England, a time marked by both immense industrial progress and stark social inequalities. The rise of a wealthy middle class created a demand for luxury items such as this. Yet, the production of such objects often relied on the labor of the working class, laboring in conditions that often contributed to the very odors these boxes were meant to conceal. This small, ornamental object speaks volumes about the complex interplay between hygiene, class, and social status. It reflects the sensibilities of a society grappling with rapid change and the persistent realities of inequality.