I get a regular stream of questions asking for information on your antiques, it is always interesting to take a look but today it was a real pleasure to be sent a photograph of these wonderful perfume bottles.

How pretty are these? So very desirable for any perfume bottle collection. The gentleman who sent me this picture tells me that they were given to his wifes mother in 1922 and they were not new then – he believes that they are venetian glass.

I completely agree that they were not new in 1922, these are Victorian. I think that they are Palais Royale pieces. The Palais Royale is in Paris and was built in1629 for Cardinal Richelieu, later becoming the residence of the Duke of Orleans. Shops and cafes were built in the grounds of the palace and these were patronised by wealthy visitors looking for trinkets and souvenirs.  Commonly we find today small pieces known as Palais Royale – they have a few things in common – ornate gilt metal work, mother of pearl, mirrors, glass, flowers for example.

This perfume bottle set would originally have had a cover ( you can see the grove in the wooden base where it would have fitted ) – I think a glass dome rather than a wooden case – who would want to hide such finery. I notice that there are “Gems” set into the metal – it is difficult to be sure from one photo but these are most likely glass. I see some of the flowers are also coloured – perhaps enamel?  There was a great french glass making industry and so the perfume bottles could well be French although they may have been imported from Italy. I suspect that the blue colour is overlaid on the glass but again this would need to be looked at in person to be sure.

Age – Victorian, Retail value?  - a few hundred pounds depending upon condition.

AntiquesAvenue has a few genuine vintage perfume bottles for sale but not quite as grand as these.