Hunt & Roskell Silver & Enamel Scent & Vinaigrette Phial

This superb Victorian silver and enamel combined scent bottle and vinaigrette was made by the royal goldsmiths Hunt & Roskell and presented in one of their plush boxes.

The enamel work is delightful with a butterfly amidst a mix of aesthetic influenced colouful grasses and an exotic bird to the top cover. The showing silver work is all gilded. Both ends of the piece are hinged; one end opening to reveal a glass lined perfume compartment complete with stopper and the other showing a vinaigrette grille that can be further opened for placing an aromatic sponge to ward off the strong odours from Victorian streets.

The phial can be stood up on the silver-gilt cover of the vinaigrette upon which is engraved the complex cipher of the original high-ranking aristocratic owner together with their coronet denoting them to be either a Duke or Duchess.

The case is imprinted to the inside cover with the retailers name and proud proclamation: "Hunt & Roskell Late Storr & Mortimer Jewellers & Goldsmiths to the Queen and Royal Family 156 New Bond Street". The company that became Hunt and Roskell was founded by the great Paul Storr who was then partnered to John Mortimer prior to his retirement. The case is hinged and fitted out beautifully in royal purple to hold the phial securely.

The condition is excellent with nothing negative to report. The inside cover of the scent bottle is stamped with the Hunt & Roskell name and "by appointment" crown. Scent phials of this type were rarely hallmarked but dating is fairly straightforward as the decoration is typical of the early period of the Aesthetic movement - circa 1870.

A fabulous piece with a great history!