Images(4)

flask

Object NameScent Flask

Made FromNon-lead glass, Gilt metal

Date1690-1700

Place Madeprobably France

Techniqueblown, enameled, cut, gilded

SizeOverall H: 11.4 cm, W: 5.6 cm

Accession Number84.3.218

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

On ViewChanging Exhibition Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

The floral bouquet delicately enameled on this flask advertises its contents. At the time it was made, French perfumery was experiencing a shift from imported aromatics to flowers grown locally around the town of Grasse, in Provence. Louis XIV spurred on this transition to energize local industry and commerce, encouraging flower cultivators to intensify their production. As a result, fresh and flowery notes dominated perfumes made in this period.

Physical DescriptionScent Flask. Colorless non-lead glass; blown, enameled, cut, gilded. Flattened, exaggerated waisted form; short, slightly tapered neck, ground on the inside for a stopper, with a gilt-metal cap; bulbous shoulders, the sides with cut six-petaled flowers; waisted below, with cut scales on the sides; bulbous lower section, with cut herringbones on the side; the entire face (on both sides) enameled in opaque white, with colorful flowers (blue tulips, red roses, yellow flowers, etc.) among green foliage enameled on the white ground; black and yellow outlines; tapered rectangular solid glass foot, with chamfered corners, fitted silver-gilt rim.
Provenance

Source Sheppard and Cooper, Ltd. - 1984-07-12