Swan Scent Bottles. This post has a gallery and information on scent bottles either in the form of swans or with swan decoration. Thomas Webb and Sons made some excellent scent bottles in the form of swans with silver mounts.

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Snuff Bottles. Tobacco was introduced by the Portuguese to the court at Beijing some time during the mid- to late-16th century. It was originally smoked in pipes before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty. The use of snuff and snuff bottles spread through the upper class, and by the end of the 17th century it had become a part of social ritual to use snuff. This lasted through most of the 18th century. Eventually, the trend spread into the rest of the country and into every social class. It was common to offer a pinch of snuff as a way to greet friends and relatives. Snuff bottles soon became an object of beauty and a way to represent status and wealth.

The use of snuff increased and decreased with the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty and died away soon after the establishment of the Republic of China. However, contemporary snuff bottles are still being made, and can be purchased in souvenir shops, flea markets and museum gift shops. Original snuff bottles from the Qing period are a desirable target for serious collectors and museums. A good bottle has an extra quality over and above its exquisite beauty and value: that is touch. Snuff bottles were made to be held and so, as a rule, they have a pleasant tactile quality. Reference: Wikipedia

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Bottle Coasters. Coasters were in popular use by the 1750s. They were invented to enable guests to slide decanters or wine bottles across the table without scratching the surface. They also served to catch drips which might stain the table. Coasters had baize-covered or polished wooden bases (like this one), and later versions sometimes had wheels.

Gentlemen could not drink freely, or at least as much as they wished, until the end of the meal when the ladies had withdrawn to take tea or coffee in the drawing room. The butler laid out the appropriate glasses in front of each guest. He placed the decanters, on coasters, before the master of the house to be passed around in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Reference: Victoria and Albert Museum

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Scent bottles / perfume bottles have been made and decorated with silver for many years. They have been used for holding wine, scent, snuff and many other substances. Below are some examples of scent bottles either made of or decorated with silver.

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