Perfume, cologne, toilet water, after shave, all by any other name would smell as sweet. While scent is the goal of perfume shopping, a collector’s item has emerged on the fragrance scene-the perfume bottle. The containers chosen to house the exotic, uniquely personal scent one is searching for have turned out to often be equally provocative; begetting a collecting craze all their own.
The idea of perfume bottle being works of art unto themselves most likely came about in the late 1600s, regarding the bottles only, no particular scent. The perfume was sought out individually, purchased and brought home to put in one’s own unique perfume bottle. Supposedly, it was not until the 1800s that perfume was sold in specialized, decorative bottles right from the start. So often, these specialized perfume bottles themselves become an icon to fabulous, famous scents. Most perfume lovers can identify classic perfumes by the bottle alone. Those such as Chanel No.5 or Shalamir have not only established eternal scent status, but their alluring and attractive bottles have become renowned and classic recognizable perfume bottles.
While collecting perfume bottles is certainly an eye-pleasing hobby to pursue, with so many dazzling colors, shapes and sizes of perfume bottles to be found, this is one pursuit that could also turn out to be a valuable collection-especially in the world of antique perfume bottles.
Antique perfume bottles are collector’s items that have gathered value, sometimes significantly, over time. An antique perfume bottle can vary in price from just a few dollars to a price that numbers in the thousands.
The older perfume bottles are generally more elaborate and ornate in their detail, sometimes even omitting the perfume brand name from the bottle. This trademark way of exhibiting a perfume allows for the perfume bottles to be truly seen as miniature works of art. Antique perfume bottles were made from various materials that, individually, made the bottles unique works of art all on their own. For example, many perfume bottles in the 1800s to early 1900s were made from hand-cut glass. These bottles were designed to be as attractive as the perfume inside and owning such perfume was definitely a status symbol in that day and age. Other perfume bottles emerged as glass bottles with intricate, delicate silver designs on the outside of the bottle. Through the 1920s, blown glass and ceramic perfume containers made their debut. These particular perfume bottles were often decorated with hand-painted designs, making them truly one-of-a-kind. Crystal, both pressed and etched glass designs have long been a popular favorite in perfume bottles, and remains so to this day.
There are several things to consider when building a collection of perfume bottles, the first of things being to find what makes you-the collector-happy. Are looks what you are after? Those colors and shapes that are pleasing to your eye? Are you hunting for antique perfume bottles or just pleasing perfume bottles in general? You may want to take the time to formulate your own standards for your perfume bottle collecting, or you may just start collecting perfume bottles that please you and go from there. Whatever makes you, the collector, happy.
When purchasing perfume bottles for collecting, there are many places to search for ideal candidates to add to your collection. Perfume bottles can be found places such as garage sales, thrift shops, estate sales and auctions and antique stores and malls. In our modern, super-fast technology society today, there is amazing access to on line shopping for perfume bottles as well. On line auction sites and individual sellers abound for your perusal and purchasing enjoyment on the Internet. Groups have gathered collectors together, providing a vast resource base for all group members to work from in searching for, buying and even trading perfume bottles.
In buying perfume bottles for the purpose of collecting, the condition of the perfume bottles is important in that it is a waste of money and pleasure to purchase a perfume bottle that does not measure up to your standards. Look for unattractive chips or cracks in the perfume bottle glass, for intact caps and stoppers, and undamaged paper labels-if the bottle has a paper label, of course. While you will rarely find perfection(especially affordable perfection!), you can find perfume bottles in good condition with few significant flaws.
When caring for your perfume bottle collection, be sure to remove all jewelry and avoid the risks of any scratches to your perfume bottles. Never wash the perfume bottles in a dishwasher, any glass items of special significance run the risk of being damaged in a dishwasher. Line a bowl or sink with a soft cloth, then fill the bowl with lukewarm water– being sure the water is truly lukewarm as water that is too hot or too cold can damage the perfume bottle. Wash each perfume bottle individually with a soft-bristled brush. After cleaning, keeping the small works of art free from dust is a big factor in having a perfume bottle collection that’s pleasing to look at and enjoy. Wipe them frequently with a soft, non-abrasive cloth to keep dust from gathering and making a home there.
Collecting perfume bottles can be a fun hobby that brings many hours of joy in the search, find, caring for and enjoyment of perfume bottles. It can also be a lucrative hobby if you choose to buy, trade and/ or sell perfume bottles with other enthusiasts. Above all, the pleasure gained from the perfume bottle collection is priceless.
