Victorian Faith, Hope & Charity Scent Bottle

The allegory of faith, hope and charity were important symbols during the Victorian era, which saw a resurgence in Christian ideals.  Here we see them together in this beautiful 800 silver mid-Victorian scent bottle - the heart, representing charity or love, over the cross for faith which caps an anchor for hope. The bottle hangs on a chain from a lyre, a symbol for the arts, music and medicine.

Victorian times could be... aromatic, to put it kindly. Between the multiple layers of finery being worn and the general smells that could linger in the environment, people often  carried with them a small vial of perfume disguised as a piece of jewelry when they were out and about. Most were worn as pendants but, this sterling silver perfume vial was made to hang from a belt. The lyre at the top has a silver loop on the back. The top cross portion of the bottle serves as the cap. It slides off of the lower vial portion.

The bottle portion itself measures 95mm tall by 52mm wide and, including the top lyre portion, is approximately 7 1/8" overall and weighs 30.6g. There is a “W” with a tiny cross stamped by the maker on the back of the silver loop as well as on the inside of the lower anchor where the cross cap fits over it. The little bow is a later addition, likely replacing a fitting. I can replace with a jump ring if preferred.