Silver vinaigrette, Europe, 1701-1900

Made:
1701-1900 in Europe
SMG00203622 Silver vinaigrette, oval shape Silver vinaigrette, oval shape Silver vinaigrette, oval shape Silver vinaigrette, oval shape (A642133) Silver vinaigrette in the form of a skull, hinged

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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SMG00203622
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver vinaigrette, oval shape
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver vinaigrette, oval shape
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver vinaigrette, oval shape
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver vinaigrette, oval shape
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

(A642133) Silver vinaigrette in the form of a skull, hinged
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Silver vinaigrette, oval shape, one half in form of a skull and cross-bones, other a face, hinged, opening out to reveal 4 compartments complete with sponges inside

Like pomanders, vinaigrettes could be used as a vessel to hold strong smelling substances to be sniffed should the user be passing through a particularly smelly area. At a time when miasma theories of disease – the idea that disease was carried by foul air – were dominant, carrying a vinaigrette was considered a protective measure. Vapours from a vinegar-soaked sponge in the bottom were inhaled through the small holes in the top of the ‘acorn’. If a person felt faint they could also sniff their vinaigrette and the sharp vinegar smell might shock their body into action.

The other side of the vinaigrette shows a face and could act as a memento mori – a reminder of death. The skull was probably hung from a piece of cord or necklace and carried at all times. It is shown here with another skull-shaped example (A642133).

Details

Category:
Pharmacy-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A641486
Materials:
silver
Measurements:
overall: 36 mm x 22 mm x 23 mm, .02kg
type:
vinaigrette